MRI Diagnosis of Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the MR features and diagnostic value of tethered cord syndrome(TCS).Methods MR findings of 30 cases with TCS were reviewed.All cases were confirmed by operation and pathology.Results In 30 cases,the levels of the tips of the conus were below the middle of L 2 vertebral body.Spinal cords were fixed as result of being drawn.MR findings were as follows:Single thickened and tightened filum terminale(4 cases,13%);Lipoid buld(13 cases,43%);Myeloey stocele(3 cases,10%);Meningcele(4 cases,13%);Tumor in spinalcannal(6 cases,20%) Included neurofibroma (2 cases),dermoid cyst (2 cases) and epidermoid (1 cases),teratoma(1 cases).Conclusion MRI with high soft tissue resolution and mutiple sections imaging is superior to any other imaging means,it can clearly demonstrate the position and shape of the spinal cord conus as well as the associated malformation.