Definition
Fibrous / cartilage / bony bar creating a longitudinal cleft in the cord
Site
Mainly in lumbar spine / can occur in thoracic
Symptoms
Can lead to cord tethering with associated neurological defects
Signs
Hyperreflexia / clonus / asymmetric abdominal reflexes
Xray
Inter-pedicular widening / bony bar / spina bifida occulta
MRI
May see 2 hemicords
- each within a single dural sac
- each within their own dural sac
Conus Medullaris often extends below L2
Management
Asymptomatic
Observe
Neurology
Should be resected