Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome
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What is Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome?
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. 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, feeling or the onset of pain or autonomic symptoms.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
Spina Bifida Association of America 4590 MacArthur Blvd. NW Suite 250 Washington, DC 20007-4266 sbaa@sbaa.org http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org Tel: 202-944-3285 800-621-3141 Fax: 202-944-3295 |
American Syringomyelia Alliance Project (ASAP) P.O. Box 1586 Longview, TX 75606-1586 info@asap.org http://www.asap.org Tel: 903-236-7079 800-ASAP-282 (272-7282) Fax: 903-757-7456 |
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Last updated May 07, 2008