BACKGROUND: A tethered cord (TC) has been reported in as much as 50% of the patients affected by anorectal malformation (ARM). No guidelines for timing and modality of diagnosis and treatment have been established. We present the preliminary results of a multidisciplinary protocol carried out at our center. METHODS: Seventy-four ARM patients underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All TC patients underwent videourodynamic (UD), somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs), and neurological examination at baseline and, if normal, at 5 and 10 years of age. Conversely, when UD or SEP abnormalities were detected the follow-up was individually tailored at shorter time. RESULTS: 25/74 patients had a neuroradiological TC (33.7%). Based on the results of UD, SEP, and neurological status, four patients were untethered, eight are possible candidates, nine are stable, and four were excluded because of incomplete data. DISCUSSION: Tethered cord is frequent in ARM patients. Because neurological deficits secondary to TC can contribute to neurological disability, we recommend routine MRI examination and a multidisciplinary program of follow-up in cases of TC. Preliminary results suggest the combined use of SEPs and UD could represent a useful adjunct to clinical examination in patients in whom a "wait and see" approach is preferred to the prophylactic surgery.
BACKGROUND: A tethered cord (TC) has been reported in as much as 50% of the patients affected by anorectal malformation (ARM). No guidelines for timing and modality of diagnosis and treatment have been established. We present the preliminary results of a multidisciplinary protocol carried out at our center. METHODS: Seventy-four ARM patients underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All TC patients underwent videourodynamic (UD), somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs), and neurological examination at baseline and, if normal, at 5 and 10 years of age. Conversely, when UD or SEP abnormalities were detected the follow-up was individually tailored at shorter time. RESULTS: 25/74 patients had a neuroradiological TC (33.7%). Based on the results of UD, SEP, and neurological status, four patients were untethered, eight are possible candidates, nine are stable, and four were excluded because of incomplete data. DISCUSSION: Tethered cord is frequent in ARM patients. Because neurological deficits secondary to TC can contribute to neurological disability, we recommend routine MRI examination and a multidisciplinary program of follow-up in cases of TC. Preliminary results suggest the combined use of SEPs and UD could represent a useful adjunct to clinical examination in patients in whom a "wait and see" approach is preferred to the prophylactic surgery.
Authors: Werner Schäfer; Paul Abrams; Limin Liao; Anders Mattiasson; Francesco Pesce; Anders Spangberg; Arthur M Sterling; Norman R Zinner; Philip van Kerrebroeck Journal: Neurourol Urodyn Date: 2002 Impact factor: 2.696
Authors: M L Capitanucci; M Rivosecchi; M Silveri; M C Lucchetti; G Mosiello; M De Gennaro Journal: Eur J Pediatr Surg Date: 1996-06 Impact factor: 2.191
Authors: K Uchida; M Inoue; T Matsubara; K Otake; Y Koike; Y Okugawa; A Kawamoto; C Miki; M Kusunoki Journal: Eur J Pediatr Surg Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 2.191
Authors: A Di Cesare; E Leva; F Macchini; L Canazza; G Carrabba; M Fumagalli; F Mosca; M Torricelli Journal: Pediatr Surg Int Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 1.827
Authors: María Fanjul; I Samuk; P Bagolan; E Leva; C Sloots; C Giné; D Aminoff; P Midrio Journal: Pediatr Surg Int Date: 2017-07-03 Impact factor: 1.827