Tethered spinal cord disease

Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. These attachments cause an abnormal stretching of the spinal cord. The course of the disorder is progressive. In children, symptoms may include lesions, hairy patches, dimples, or fatty tumors on the lower back; foot and spinal deformities; weakness in the legs; low back pain; scoliosis; and incontinence. This type of spina bifida is often associated with the Arnold-Chiari malformation. In adults the syndrome may cause pain and numbness in the lower back and legs, weakness, and loss of bowel and bladder control. Tethered spinal cord syndrome appears to be the result of improper growth of the neural tube during fetal development, and is closely linked to spina bifida.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tethered spinal cord syndrome may include:

• Lesions, hairy patches, dimples, or fatty tumors on the lower back
• Foot and spinal deformities
• Weakness in the legs
• Low back pain
• Scoliosis
• Incontinence
• Pain and numbness in the lower back and legs
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

Causes

Tethered spinal cord syndrome appears to be the result of improper growth of the neural tube during fetal development. It is closely linked to spina bifida and is often associated with the Arnold-Chiari malformation.

Treatment

Treatment for tethered spinal cord syndrome usually involves surgery to free (detether) the spinal cord. In some cases, especially when there is no neurological deficit, surgery may be delayed.

Prognosis

With treatment, individuals with tethered spinal cord syndrome have a normal life expectancy. However, some neurological and motor impairments may not be fully correctable.

See also

• Spina bifida
• Arnold-Chiari malformation
• Neural tube