Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
A Suture Technique for Ruptured Annulus Fibrosus Following Decompression Under Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy
Published on: January 26, 2024
Duplicated filum terminale in the absence of split cord malformation: a potential cause of failed detethering
Elias Rizk1, Nimer Adeeb, Ahmed E Hussein
1Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Introduction:
A duplicated filum terminale appears to be a rare finding in the absence of a split cord malformation. Herein, we discuss this finding and its potential dysembryology.
Case Reports:
We report two cases of duplicated filum terminale without split cord malformation. The first case presented as an incidental finding with thickened filum terminale. At time of surgery, a thickened filum was resected and a smaller size filum was transected and both were confirmed with pathologic examination. The second case presented with a lumbar skin hemangioma. Screening MRI showed a duplicated filum terminale with fat signal in both structures. Pathology also confirmed the diagnosis of two fila terminalia.
Conclusions:
The neurosurgeon should consider the possibility of two fila terminalia during operation to transect a single filum for tethered spinal cord.
