Spinal cord tethering associated with amniotic band syndrome

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) comprises fetal morphological abnormalities that may be associated with fibrous amniotic bands that damage developing fetal parts resulting in cutaneous scars, erosions and ulcerations, digital constricting bands, craniofacial and visceral anomalies. Multiple asymmetric encephaloceles and anencephaly are neural-tube-like defects previously reported with ABS. This is the first report of spinal dysraphism with dorsal spinal cord tethering associated with ABS. We examine the pathogenetic theories of ABS in light of this report.