Tethered spinal cord syndrome

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Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome or Occult Spinal Dysraphism Sequence is a rare neurological disorder (occurring in 0.05 to 0.25 of 1000 births) 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. Symptoms may include lesions, hairy patches, dimples, or fatty tumours on the lower back; foot and spinal deformities; weakness in the legs; low back pain; scoliosis; and incontinence. Tethered spinal cord syndrome may go undiagnosed until adulthood, when sensory and motor problems and loss of bowel and bladder control emerge. This delayed presentation of symptoms is related to the degree of strain placed on the spinal cord over time. 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. Tethering may also develop after spinal cord injury and scar tissue can block the flow of fluids around the spinal cord. Fluid pressure may cause cysts to form in the spinal cord, a condition called syringomyelia. This can lead to additional loss of movement or feeling, or the onset of pain or autonomic symptoms.

Occult Tight Filum terminale Syndrome

In addition to the 'typical' tethering, there is a more recently recognized variation referred to as "Occult Tight Filum terminale Syndrome". In this variation, the Filum (a piece of tissue or tendon at the base of the spinal cord that joins it to the base of the Backbone) thickens or hardens and causes downward pressure on the spinal cord. This can actually cause Scoliosis as well as most of the other symptoms of the more typical tethered cord. This can be diagnosed the same way with the CINE MRI and by checking symptoms.

Treatment

In children, early surgery is recommended to prevent further neurological deterioration, including but not limited to chronic urinary incontinence. In adults, surgery to free (detether) the spinal cord can reduce the size and further development of cysts in the cord and may restore some function or alleviate other symptoms. Tethered Cord Syndrome is causally linked to Chiari Malformation and any affirmative diagnosis of TCS must be followed by screening for Chiari's several degrees. TCS was just recently related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which should also be screened for upon a positive TCS diagnosis.

Tethered Cord Syndrome presents varied and almost uncontrollable neurophenomenae in pediatric cases.

Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. NSAIDs, opiates, synthetic opiates, Cox II inhibitors, off-label applications of tricyclic anti-depressants combined with anti-seizure compounds have yet to prove they are of value in treatment of this affliction's pain manifestations. There is anecdotal evidence that TENS units may benefit some patients.
Treatment may be needed in Adults. This new version of tight filum is being found in adults who were asymptomatic as young adults, but as Adults are finding lower back degeneration, Scoliosis, neck & upper back problems and developing incontinence and bladder control issues. This syndrome has been overlooked and under treated (opinion of contributor) for years, and as a result many people are walking around with problems that might be resolved with some research and good diagnostics. The filum can also show up with Chiari, sometimes referred to as 'Arnold-Chiari', but most doctors just call it Chiari. This is where the brain is pulled or lowers into the top of the spine.

Prognosis

With treatment, individuals with tethered spinal cord syndrome have a normal life expectancy. However, most neurological and motor impairments are irreversible.

Related Disorders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyphosis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold-Chiari_malformation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_herniation

References

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http://www.answers.com/topic/tethered-spinal-cord-syndrome?cat=health
http://www.lvwnet.com/chiari/otfts.html http://www.conquerchiari.org/subs%20only/Volume%204/Issue%204(9)/Occult%20TCS%204(9).asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold-Chiari_malformation

Arnold-Chiari is more commonly referred to as just 'chiari' by most doctors.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tethered_cord/tethered_cord.htm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5309511
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=78908
http://www.aans.org/education/journal/neurosurgical/Aug07/23-2-5-1214.pdf

Additional print articles:
Treatment of the Occult Tethered Spinal Cord for Neuropathic Bladder: Results of Sectioning the Filum Terminale. The Journal of Urology, Volume 176, Issue 4, Pages 1826-1830 P. Metcalfe, T. Luerssen, S. King, M. Kaefer, K. Meldrum, M. Cain, R. Rink, A. Casale
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B7XMT-4KSDF4D-18&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=09e9eef73231809f93f28457b444b22c
http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/FOC-07/08/E8
http://www.neurosurgery-online.com/pt/re/neurosurg/fulltext.00006123-200605000-00023.htm;jsessionid=H4pPN5n3zzQcJMXfTlNqhhpxkPT2rfFRvGvNjVvh0GXVmn9G8pyW!1600246195!181195629!8091!-1
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/related/8688347/Occult_filum_terminale_syndrome_

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