Tethered cord syndrome in children: About a case

Abstract

Tethered cord syndrome is a spectrum of neurological symptoms due to a constant or intermittent axial traction of the terminal cone of the spinal cord, fixed in abnormal caudal position. It is a rare congenital lesion whose symptoms can be observed only in adulthood. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with tethered cord syndrome discovered due to bladder and anal incontinence and confirmed by lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent neurosurgical release of the terminal cone by posterior approach. Evolution was marked by improvement of sphincteric disorders. This case study has been followed by a literature review on this subject. This case study highlights the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of this disorder.