Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
08:46
Spinal Cord Lateral Hemisection and Asymmetric Behavioral Assessments in Adult Rats
Published on: March 24, 2020
Tethered spinal cord and VACTERL association.
Meng-Fai Kuo1, Yihsin Tsai, Wen-Ming Hsu
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|May 1, 2007
Summary
Patients with VACTERL association have a high incidence of tethered spinal cord (TSC), particularly when imperforate anus or urogenital anomalies are present. Magnetic resonance imaging is crucial for diagnosing TSC in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- VACTERL association is a nonrandom grouping of birth defects including vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb anomalies.
- Tethered spinal cord (TSC) is a neurological condition where the spinal cord is abnormally stretched, potentially leading to various symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between VACTERL association and the presence of tethered spinal cord (TSC).
- To determine if specific VACTERL anomalies increase the risk of TSC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 12 patients with VACTERL association treated operatively between 2001 and 2004.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate intraspinal abnormalities in patients.
- Nine patients completed the study after exclusion of three due to complications.
Main Results:
- Seven out of nine patients with VACTERL association were diagnosed with TSC.
- The incidence of TSC was higher in patients with imperforate anus (7/9) and even higher with co-occurring urogenital anomalies (86%).
- Terminal filum lipomas (TFLs) were the most common cause of TSC, identified in five patients.
Conclusions:
- A high incidence of TSC exists in patients with VACTERL association, especially when imperforate anus or urogenital anomalies are present.
- MR imaging is essential for detecting TSC in VACTERL patients with these associated anomalies.
- Early diagnosis and surgical untethering of TSC, often caused by TFLs, can be safely managed.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Spinal Cord
The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:16Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy
The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
01:15Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy
The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
01:54The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.