Is there evidence of spinal cord tethering?

From the Guidelines

Evidence of Spinal Cord Tethering is Present in Some Cases There is evidence to suggest that spinal cord tethering can occur, particularly in patients with certain underlying conditions or risk factors, as noted in studies 1.

Key Findings

• Spinal cord tethering can be associated with various symptoms, including back pain, leg pain, and bladder/bowel dysfunction, as described in 1.
• The condition may be more common in certain populations, such as those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, as mentioned in 1.
• Imaging studies, such as MRI, can be used to assess for spinal cord tethering and other potential abnormalities, as recommended in 1.

Important Considerations

• Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments are crucial to assess for any potential changes or development of symptoms, as suggested in 1.
• If symptoms do arise, further evaluation and potential surgical intervention may be necessary, as noted in 1.
• Patients should be advised to report any new or worsening symptoms promptly, as emphasized in 1.

Risk Factors and Associations

• Certain risk factors, such as left thoracic curve, short segment curve, and absence of apical segment lordosis, may be associated with an increased risk of spinal cord tethering, as suggested in 1.
• The condition may be more common in patients with congenital scoliosis or other underlying anomalies, as noted in 1.

From the Research

Spinal Cord Tethering Evidence

• There is no direct evidence of spinal cord tethering in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The studies focus on various topics such as postpartum hemorrhage 2, acute spinal cord injury management 3, implementation interventions in stroke rehabilitation 4, delayed cord clamping in healthy term infants 5, and transarterial embolisation for liver metastases 6.
• None of the studies mention spinal cord tethering as a topic of discussion or investigation.
• Therefore, there is no research evidence available in the provided studies to assist in answering questions about spinal cord tethering 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.