R Shane Tubbs1, W Jerry Oakes. 1. Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue South Acc 400, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. richard.tubbs@ccc.uab.edu
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To our knowledge, muscular dystrophy and specifically, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has not previously been associated with gross intrathecal abnormalities. CASE REPORT: We report a pediatric patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy that was diagnosed a long time ago and recent onset urinary incontinence. MRI revealed a conus medullaris in a normal position with a fatty-infiltrated filum terminale. Operative intervention was performed entailing sectioning of the filum terminale. This resulted in resolution of the child's urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Although seemingly rare and perhaps associated by serendipity, new, unusual neurological deficits in a patient with muscular dystrophy, especially of an upper motor neuron nature, should warrant MRI to rule out pathology of the spinal cord such as tethering.
INTRODUCTION: To our knowledge, muscular dystrophy and specifically, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has not previously been associated with gross intrathecal abnormalities. CASE REPORT: We report a pediatric patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy that was diagnosed a long time ago and recent onset urinary incontinence. MRI revealed a conus medullaris in a normal position with a fatty-infiltrated filum terminale. Operative intervention was performed entailing sectioning of the filum terminale. This resulted in resolution of the child's urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Although seemingly rare and perhaps associated by serendipity, new, unusual neurological deficits in a patient with muscular dystrophy, especially of an upper motor neuron nature, should warrant MRI to rule out pathology of the spinal cord such as tethering.