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Tethered spinal cord syndrome: report of two cases

The tethered spinal cord syndrome is a disease that ir part of the group of spinal dysraphisms, that was recently recognized as an individualized nosological entity, yet not frequently diagnosed among us. It is characterized by shortenning and thickening of the filum terminale which prevents the ascent of the spinal cord into spinal canal, the conus medularis abnormaly remainning in a low place. It is associated in all cases with spina bifida. The diagnosis is simple, once the disease is suspected. It is manifested by progressive motor or sensory deficit in the legs, urinary incontinence, scoliosis and leg or back pain, specially in young children. The plain lumbosacral RX always shows spina bifida. Myelography makes the diagnostic. It shows, basically, the negative image of the thickened filum terminale and the low placed conus medularis. Other exams which can help are the computadorized tomography and the ultra-sound of the spinal cord. The surgical treatment is very simple and heals without sequels if done in due time. It consists in a sectioning of the filum terminale through laminectomy Two cases diagnosed and treated at Hospital da Baleia, from Fundação Benjamim Guimarães, Belo Horizonte, are reported in this paper.


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