Treatment of persistent enuresis. Results of severing a tight filum terminale

A tight filum terminale was severed in an attempt to treat intractable enuresis in 27 children. Urodynamic studies demonstrated pre-operative bladder instability in all cases. Although symptom scores for enuresis improved significantly 6 months after surgery, only 7 patients benefited clinically (3 were cured and enuresis was reduced in 4). An average of 26 months later, 12 patients were either dry or their enuresis was reduced, probably due to spontaneous cure rather than surgery. We found no clinical parameters able to predict a favourable outcome. It was concluded that although a tight filum terminale is a cause of intractable enuresis, transection of the filum is not recommended because of the low success rate.     

Isolated hemangioblastoma of the filum terminale. Case report

The filum terminale is an exceptional location for isolated hemangioblastoma. Only five cases are reported in literature, prior to the magnetic resonance imaging era. A 57-year-old man was referred to our Department with a prolonged history of progressive back pain, particularly severe when recumbent, and recurrent unilateral sciatalgia. Computed tomography demonstrated a non-homogeneous mass at L4 level. Magnetic resonance imaging displayed earliness and homogeneous enhancement of the mass with tortuous vessels above the rostral pole of the tumour, suggesting the diagnosis of a vascular tumour. The tumour was totally removed. Histological examination confirmed the hemangioblastoma diagnosis. The case indicates that hemangioblastoma, although uncommon, must be taken into consideration in cauda equina tumour diagnosis, and also emphasises the specificity of magnetic resonance features.     

Urodynamic evaluation of tethered cord syndrome including tight filum terminale Prolonged follow-up observation after intraspinal operation

From pre- and postoperative urodynamic examinations of congenital neurogenic bladder caused by tethered cord syndrome including tight filum terminate, the results of intraspinal surgery on tethered cord syndrome are reported herein. As a result, urodynamic and electrophysiologic examinations are considered as excellent methods, which are safe and give objective findings, for diagnosis and prolonged observation of not only tethered cord syndrome but also congenital neurogenic bladder.     

Giant gangliocytic paraganglioma of the filum terminale. Case report

The clinical and pathological features of a giant cauda equina paraganglioma arising from the intradural filum terminale is described. Scattered mature large neurons characterized the tumor as a gangliocytic paraganglioma. Histologically, these neoplasms have considerable similarity with ependymoma and the diagnosis can be easily missed unless special techniques are employed.     

Acute bleeding into a filum terminale ependymoma

We present a case of a 63-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital due to an acute compression syndrome of the cauda equina. He had complained about a sciatica for at least one year. CT-diagnosis appeared to be negative, whereas a lumbar myelogram revealed a complete block at L2/3. Emergency surgery was performed, and an ependymoma of the filum terminale was removed into which it had bled massively. The case is compared to the literature findings. These relate ependymomas in the described region with acute onset more often to symptoms caused by subarachnoid bleeding. Mechanical and/or histopathological factors are discussed as the cause of acute bleeding. Spinal ependymomas represent a rare event compared to other neurosurgical diseases. Even more seldom are tumors of this kind causing an acute cauda equina compression syndrome.     

Multiple filum terminale hemangioblastomas symptomatic during pregnancy. Case report

Hemangioblastomas are low-grade, highly vascular tumors commonly associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome and most often appearing in the cerebellum. They very rarely occur in the spinal nerve roots, and an origin in the filum terminale is exceptional with no instances of multiple hemangioblastomas of the filum terminale reported in the literature. Because of their vascular nature, these lesions can enlarge and become symptomatic in the context of the changes that take place during pregnancy, as has been noted with cerebellar hemangioblastomas. In any case, the evolution of spinal hemangioblastomas during pregnancy is not well known given its rarity. The conjunction of both processes--that is, multiple hemangioblastomas arising in the filum terminale and pregnancy--is unique. The authors describe the case of a 41-year-old woman with multiple hemangioblastomas of the filum terminale and no other evidence of VHL syndrome, in whom pregnancy precipitated symptoms. The interruption of gestation led to a remission of the symptoms. The literature concerning filum terminale hemangioblastomas and pregnancy is also reviewed.     

Hemangioblastoma of filum terminale associated with arteriovenous shunting

BACKGROUND: Spinal arteriovenous shunt typically presents in middle age or in the elderly with a strong male predilection. The clinical presentation is usually progressive neurological deficits such as paraparesis or incontinence due to cord edema, although back pain is also a common presentation. Progress of neurological deficit is typically stopped by occlusion of the shunt (surgically or endovascularly), but the return of loss of function may be found in less than half of these patients. In contrast, spinal hemangioblastomas usually occur in adults, and the most common presentation is pain with radiculopathy. Location in the filum terminale is very rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: After a review of the medical literature, we identified 7 cases of hemangioblastomas arising from the filum terminale (Am J Neuroradiol. 2005;26:936-945; Acta Neurochir [Wien]. 2000;142:1059-1062; J Neurosurg Sci. 2001;45:58-62; J Clin Neurosci. 2006;13:285-288; Neurosurgery. 1999;44:220-223; Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 1985;87:55-59).We report an additional case of a filum terminale hemangioblastoma occurring in a 64-year-old man with 1 month exacerbation of chronic low back pain. Preoperatively, it was misdiagnosed as filum terminale arteriovenous fistula. CONCLUSION: Even with modern imaging, preoperative diagnosis can still be difficult.     

Ependymoma of the intradural filum terminale in adults. 20 cases

Twenty cases of ependymomas of the intradural filum terminale in adults have been reviewed. Their pathology was quite uniform, of a myxopapillary type, similar to the low grade ependymoma described by Kernohan, which represent about 23% of the tumours of cauda equina. Mean age of the patients was 35.7 years. Mean time between the first symptom and the diagnosis was 46 months. Clinical symptoms were often non specific, with low back pain and radiculalgias. At the time of operation, clinical signs were essentially motor deficits usually moderate (11 cases), sphincter disturbances (10 cases), and sensory loss (9 cases). In 3 patients with rapid worsening, an intratumoral haemorrhage was found. In 2 other cases, intracranial hypertension was the main symptom: in the first, it was related to hydrocephalus probably caused by spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage; in the second, there was no ventricular dilatation. In this series, neuroradiological examinations had consisted mainly in myelographies. C.T. scan has been performed in 3 patients; in only one case it has allowed to visualize a presacral extension. One patient had preoperative M.R.I.: the association of an expansive lesion with upper cyst in conus medullaris and presence of blood in the sacral area permitted the diagnosis of ependymoma of the filum terminalis. The average size of the tumours was 8 cm. Total removal has been possible in 15 cases (and in 2 of the 5 giant tumours), subtotal removal in 2 cases, and partial removal in 3 cases. In 4 patients where existed an intraspinal cord extension above the conus, it has been resected completely, except for one case with recurrence. Patients with a total removal had a good functional recovery (13/15). No recurrence has been observed in this group. In conclusion, with M.R.I., one may hope an earlier diagnosis, condition of radical surgery. So, radiotherapy which is not without risk, could be avoided.     

Intracranial retrograde dissemination in filum terminale myxopapillary ependymomas

Summary Myxopapillary ependymomas (ME) are considered benign tumours (WHO grade I) of the central nervous system with long term survival rates and a tendency to local recurrence. However an aggressive course has occasionally been described, leading to CSF dissemination and even systemic metastases. We describe the case of a 23-year-old man diagnosed with intracranial subarachnoid dissemination of a filum terminale ME three years after the initial diagnosis. We have performed a careful review of the literature on CSF dissemination in ME and finally propose treatment of these cases.     

Mature spinal teratoma associated with thickened filum terminale

A 30-year-old man presented with an intradural spinal teratoma with thickened filum terminale manifesting as urinary and sexual disturbances, and low back pain persisting for 4 years. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed thickened filum terminale containing a heterogeneously enhanced intradural lesion extending from the L-3 to L-4 levels and in contact with the conus medullaris. The filum terminale was incised and the tumor was totally resected. The histological diagnosis was mature teratoma consisting of three germ cell layers. The patient's complaints had completely resolved 6 months later.     

胎儿终丝形态学及光镜研究

目的 观察正常胎儿终丝形态及其结构,为研究脊髓栓系综合征患儿的终丝结构提供参照标准.方法 测量并切除10例新鲜流产胎儿终丝,取其纵、横切面行光镜观察.结果 终丝由1～5μm直径的弹簧样纵向胶原纤维束组成,纤维束呈层分布,每层之间有空隙;层内纤维束之间也有空隙.层间隙、束间隙及束内每根纤维问由横向精细网状纤维连结,也可见到胶原纤维束交叉连结各束间及层问纤维.弹性纤维分散在胶原纤维束内或集中排列在胶原纤维束间.间隙可见少量毛细血管.结论 终丝的结构及成分改变可能与脊髓栓系综合征的发病密切相关.