Usefulness of radiology and MRI in caudal regression syndrome

ABSTRACT

We report three patients with sacral and coccygeal agenesis based on observations of painful haematuria, urinary tract infection, and urine incontinence. All patients were examined by conventional radiology [urography and micturating urethrography] and imaging such as ultrasound and MRI. Neuropathic urinary bladder and pronounced reflux to the kidneys were observed. MRI of spine revealed conus medullaris located high [Th 11 and Th 12] and different from the expectations with respect to the patients' age. Neither tether cord nor intrathecal tumours were observed in our patients. In one patient, deformed and bulky cauda equina was described and in another the cauda equina was small and atrophic. In all patients, absence of a part of sacrum and coccyx and nerve roots innervating urinary bladder and sphincters were observed. MRI revealed good anatomical and pathological check up of kidneys and urinary tracts in the children suffering from chronic urosepsis