[Tethered conus syndrome or fixed spinal cord syndrome. Lumbosacral lipomas]

Fifty-eight cases presenting a tethered conus with spina bifida occulta are analysed. Twenty-three patients had a lipoma, the others had various malformations of the cord. Twenty patients had no symptom or sign, 38 had neurological symptoms and signs. Only 2 had no skin malformation. The aim of surgery is to reduce the volume of the lipoma, untether the cord, and reconstruct the posterior protection of the cord. Twenty-six patients were cured or improved, 12 patients were stabilized, 19 remained asymptomatic, 1 was worsened.