Sagittal spinopelvic alignment in tethered cord syndrome and split cord malformation

Abstract

Purpose: Sagittal imbalance is common in degenerative and congenital spinal diseases. Some studies have examined spinal deformities in the spina bifida. However, sagittal spinopelvic parameters in tethered cord syndrome (TCS) and split cord malformation (SCM) have been poorly evaluated in the literature. In this study, we investigated sagittal spinopelvic differences in TCS due to fatty filum terminale and SCM patients.

Material and methods: A total of 78 patients with spina bifida occulta (30 SCM and 48 TCS due to fatty filum terminale) were included in the study. Radiological images of these patients were retrospectively evaluated. We evaluated the pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle, lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis, thoracolumbar alignment, and change in those parameters with age.

Results: Correlation coefficients between age and LL, T1 pelvic angle, and the SVA in patients with TCS due to fatty filum terminale were statistically significant. In addition, correlation coefficients between age and LL and the SVA in patients with SCM were statistically significant. Notably, LL was increased at a statistically significant level with age in patients with TCS and SCM.

Conclusion: Improved knowledge of spinal balance parameters in patients with TCS and SCM may be helpful in understanding the clinical course of these pathologies, and provide information regarding the success of surgery at the follow-up period.

Keywords: Tethered cord syndrome; global spinal balance; spina bifida occulta; split cord malformation.