Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Cormac O. Maher, M.D., Department of
Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, 3552 Taubman Center, 1500 East Medical
Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0338, USA. Tel.: +1 734 615 0536; E-mail:
cmaher@med.umich.edu
Abstract: Myelomeningocele is associated with other neurological
abnormalities, including hydrocephalus, Chiari II malformations, syringomyelia,
and secondary tethered cord syndrome. Tethered cord syndrome occurs because of
abnormal attachment of the spinal cord to the caudal dural sac, causing cord
ischemia. Occasionally, symptoms of progressive neurological deterioration may
occur and can significantly affect the long-term outcome of these patients.
Proper management of patients with myelomeningocele requires long-term
follow-up and evaluation of signs of neurological deterioration that suggest
secondary tethered cord syndrome. Treatment of these patients may target
symptoms, such as urological intervention for bladder dysfunction, or it may
target the tethered cord itself. Recently, many studies have shown that
tethered cord release can significantly improve symptoms in these patients.
