[Tethered cord syndrome in the adult].

OBJECTIVES

To describe a case of tethered cord syndrome, with special reference to the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

METHODS

A case of an adult patient with tethered cord syndrome after the complications post-TURP is described. The most relevant radiological and urodynamic features are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The tethered cord syndrome in the adult has a wide variety of symptoms. The age of onset depends on the level of cord involvement and the precipitationg factors. The urological symptoms are as varied as the urodynamic features, therefore each case must be treated independently. Treatment is a controversy; untethering offers little benefit to the patients. The incidence of the tethered cord syndrome in the adult may be higher than the reported incidence, particularly in patients with progressive and unexplained neurological, orthopedic or urological symptoms.