PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF TETHERED CORD SYNDROME

Tethered cord syndrome, manifested by motor and sensory dysfunction an d incontinence, is caused by excessive tension in the lumbosacral cord . The underlying mechanism is related to impairment of oxidative metab olism in this region. This theory is derived from redox changes of cyt ochrome a, a3, and supported by spinal cord blood flow, evoked potenti al, and histological studies. The well-known finding of elongated spin al cord attached to the tight filum or a tumor is not always demonstra ted in imaging studies, and understanding of pathophysiology allows ph ysicians to correctly diagnose and treat patients with tethered cord s yndrome.