J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1997 Jun;26(6):830-835.

Tethered Cord Syndrome in Adulthood

• Koo IK
• Kim SH
• Bae JH
• Kim OL
• Choi BY
• Cho SH

Abstract

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of nine cases of adult-onset neurological dysfunction secondary to tethered cord were studied. Sixty-seven percent of these patients had symptomatic onset under specific circumstances: additional tugging of the already tight conus, narrowing of the spinal canal, or direct trauma to the buttocks. Pain in the non-dermatomal leg and perineal area was the most common presenting symptom. Progressive sensory-motor deficit in the lower extremities, as well as sphincter dysfunction were also common findings. Unlike in tethered cord syndrome in children, however, foot and spinal deformities were not seen. The surgical outcome was excellent in relation to pain and sensory-motor deficit, but recovery of sphinctor dysfunction was disappointing. Successful treatment depends on early diagnosis and adequate surgical management of the tethered conus.

Keyword

Tethered cord syndrome Adult-onset Surgical outcome

MeSH Terms

Buttocks
Child
Congenital Abnormalities
Conus Snail
Early Diagnosis
Foot
Humans
Leg
Lower Extremity
Neural Tube Defects*
Spinal Canal