Subacute formation of syrinx post-untethering of spinal cord

Tethered spinal cord syndrome is characterized by a pathological fixation of the cord resulting in a low situated conus medullaris below the L1-2 interspace. With growth and development, this results in excessive cord stretching causing neuronal dysfunction. Untethering of the spinal cord aims to prevent the development of neurological or orthopedic sequelae which may arise if left untreated. Various complications of this operation have been described, including pseudomeningocele, CSF fistula, and meningitis. The authors present a case of a patient who developed a symptomatic syrinx, several days following untethering of the cord. Significant neurological improvement was achieved following revision surgery. This is the first case report of a syrinx developing several days post-untethering of the cord. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.