The occult tethered conus syndrome in the adult.

Twelve adults presented with tethered conus syndrome which had gone undiagnosed throughout childhood. Seven patients had had surgery directed toward the presenting symptoms or cutaneous abnormalities because the true underlying pathology was not appreciated. Although plain radiographs of the lumbosacral spine were abnormal, it was myelography that established the diagnosis. Computed tomography was performed in 4 cases and optimally showed the point of tethering, the nature and extent of the tethering masses, and the course of the intradural bands.