Tethered cord syndrome (TCS)
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Tethered cord syndrome (TCS). The lower end of the spinal cord is fixed to the spinal canal. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Pathology
- The lower end of the spinal cord is fixed to the spinal canal
- This causes excessive tension in the spinal cord
- This leads to a low-lying conus medullaris
- It is associated fatty infiltration of the filum terminale
Associations
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Classification
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Neurological features
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Skeletal features
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Systemic features
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Differential diagnosis: pseudo-tethered cord
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Indications for TCS screening
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Surgical untethering treatment: indications
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Acronym
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References
- Hertzler DA 2nd, DePowell JJ, Stevenson CB, Mangano FT. Tethered cord syndrome: a review of the literature from embryology to adult presentation. Neurosurg Focus 2010; 29:E1.
- Lew SM, Kothbauer KF. Tethered cord syndrome: an updated review. Pediatr Neurosurg 2007; 43:236-248.
- Klekamp J. Tethered cord syndrome in adults. J Neurosurg Spine 2011; 15:258-270.
- Yamada S, Won DJ, Yamada SM, Hadden A, Siddiqi J. Adult tethered cord syndrome: relative to spinal cord length and filum thickness. Neurol Res 2004; 26:732-734.
- Gharedaghi M, Samini F, Mashhadinejad H, Khajavi M, Samini M. Orthopedic lesions in tethered cord syndrome: the importance of early diagnosis and treatment on patient outcome. Arch Bone Jt Surg 2014; 2:93-97.
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