Urinary tract dysfunctions in tethered spinal cord syndrome: improvement after surgical untethering.

We reviewed 55 patients with urinary tract dysfunction owing to the tethered spinal cord syndrome, a form of spina bifida occulta with or without mild myelodysplasia, to evaluate the effects of neurosurgical treatment. Of the patients 24 underwent laminectomy with release of a tethered spinal cord and 31 were followed without the operation. Median followup was approximately 5 years. Urological findings at the most recent examination were compared between the 2 groups. In the operated group 5 patients, including 2 with myelodysplasia, apparently were cured of urinary tract dysfunction and 6, including 2 with myelodysplasia, had somewhat satisfactory results, whereas in the unoperated group only 4 patients had satisfactory results and the remainder were unaffected. Urinary tract dysfunction in some patients with spina bifida occulta may be relieved by surgical release of a tethered spinal cord.