Tethered cord syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To briefly discuss a case of tethered spinal cord syndrome, and to acquaint the reader with one of many important differential considerations among patients presenting with low back and leg pain.

FEATURES: A 32-yr-old woman sought treatment at a private chiropractic clinic for a 6-month history of low back pain with intermittent diffuse bilateral leg pain and numbness. Plain films of the lumbar spine revealed no abnormality. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a tethered spinal cord.

INTERVENTION: The abbreviated filum terminale was surgically corrected.

CONCLUSIONS

Tethered cord syndrome, a significant finding, is likely to have been responsible for the patient's signs and symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging is particularly helpful in evaluating spinal cord deformity, and may provide important information on patients not responding to chiropractic care.