Intradural view of the spinal cord and dura after three-column osteotomy: illustrative case

BACKGROUND A three-column osteotomy results in dural buckling, which may appear concerning upon intraoperative visualization because it may appear that the neural elements may also be buckled. The authors presented an intraoperative view after intentional durotomy of the neural elements and the relaxed state of the dura after three-column osteotomy. OBSERVATIONS A 52-year-old woman with adult tethered cord syndrome and previous untethering presented with worsening leg pain and stiffness, urinary incontinence, and unbalanced gait. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an arachnoid web at T6 and spinal cord tethering. Spinal column shortening via three-column osteotomy was performed with concomitant intradural excision of the arachnoid web. Dural buckling was observed intraoperatively after spinal column shortening. After the durotomy, the spinal cord was visualized without kinking or buckling. LESSONS Dural buckling after spinal column shortening of 15 mm via three-column osteotomy at T6 did not result in concomitant buckling of the underlying neural elements.

Spinal Cord Tethering, a Very Rare Cause of Cauda Equina Syndrome after Lumbar Disk Surgery: A Case Report

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) may rarely remain asymptomatic until degenerative or nondegenerative lumbar diseases superimpose in adulthood and expose the hidden anomaly. In such cases, different treatment options can be selected and simultaneous detethering might be considered too. We are reporting an undiscovered TCS in a young lady who underwent lumbar diskectomy due to symptomatic disk extrusion and suffered complete cauda equina syndrome (CES), postoperatively.

Spinal development and spinal dysraphism

The term spinal dysraphism encompasses a group of congenital disorders of spinal cord development. This potentially confusing array of conditions is best understood from an embryological perspective, and a unifying method of classification is presented. Spinal dysraphism is associated with neurological, urological, and orthopaedic deficits, these may be present at birth or may evolve over time due to the effects of spinal cord tethering. Precise diagnosis is essential to formulating an appropriate surgical management plan in order to optimize long-term neurological outcome. Contemporary and controversial surgical advances in the field are discussed including electrophysiology directed radical resection for spinal lipomas and antenatal surgery for myelomeningocele.

Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guideline on the Management of Patients With Myelomeningocele: Whether Prenatal or Postnatal Closure Affects Future Ambulatory Status

BACKGROUND Myelomeningocele (MM) is an open neural tube defect treated by pediatric neurosurgeons with prenatal or postnatal closure. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review was to answer the question: What is the evidence for the effectiveness of prenatal vs postnatal closure of MM regarding short and long-term ambulatory status? Treatment recommendations were provided based on the available evidence. METHODS The National Library of Medicine PubMed database and Embase were queried using MeSH headings and keywords relevant to ambulatory status after prenatal or postnatal closure of MM. Abstracts were reviewed to identify which studies met the inclusion criteria. An evidence table was assembled summarizing the studies and the quality of evidence (Classes I-III). Based on the quality of the literature, a recommendation was rendered (Level I, II, or III). RESULTS One randomized controlled trial (Class II) and 3 retrospective cohort studies (Class III) were included as evidence. Initial ambulatory status depended on anatomic level of the neural tube defect. In the short term, prenatal closure may improve ambulatory status compared to postnatal closure. Spinal cord tethering or dermoid inclusion cyst has been associated with neurologic deterioration in infants closed in utero and after birth. Ambulation may cease in both groups over time. No long-term studies evaluated whether there is a difference in the ability to ambulate upon reaching adulthood. CONCLUSION Prenatal closure of MM may improve ambulatory status in the short term (Level II). Spinal cord tethering in both groups caused deterioration in the ability to walk. Evaluation and treatment of spinal cord tethering may help maintain ambulatory status (Level III). No studies evaluate whether prenatal or postnatal repair provides improved ability to ambulate upon reaching adulthood. The full guideline can be found at https://www.cns.org/guidelines/guidelines-spina-bifida-chapter-3.

Spinal Cord Tethering

Spinal cord tethering due to a tense filum terminale may present with clinical features that include voiding dysfunction, back and leg pain, musculoskeletal and/or sensorimotor abnormalities of the distal legs and feet, and gait dysfunction. External dysraphic markers may be present over the midline lumbosacral spine, including skin dimples, hemangiomata, atretic tails or skin tags, superficial dermal sinus tracts, and/or bifid or Y-shaped gluteal folds. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the most clinically useful and definitive diagnostic modality for tethered spinal cord and should be used to assess the filum terminale, position of the conus tip, and presence of syringomyelia. Spinal cord tethering may be successfully treated with transection of the filum terminale. Careful peri-operative assessment and follow-up of voiding dysfunction and syringomyelia will optimize long-term outcomes.