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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 10/2004

01-10-2004 | A Lesson Learned

Urinary incontinence in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cord in the normal position with fatty filum terminale

Authors: R. Shane Tubbs, W. Jerry Oakes

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 10/2004

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Abstract

Introduction

To our knowledge, muscular dystrophy and specifically, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has not previously been associated with gross intrathecal abnormalities.

Case report

We report a pediatric patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy that was diagnosed a long time ago and recent onset urinary incontinence. MRI revealed a conus medullaris in a normal position with a fatty-infiltrated filum terminale. Operative intervention was performed entailing sectioning of the filum terminale. This resulted in resolution of the child’s urinary incontinence.

Conclusion

Although seemingly rare and perhaps associated by serendipity, new, unusual neurological deficits in a patient with muscular dystrophy, especially of an upper motor neuron nature, should warrant MRI to rule out pathology of the spinal cord such as tethering.
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Metadata
Title
Urinary incontinence in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cord in the normal position with fatty filum terminale
Authors
R. Shane Tubbs
W. Jerry Oakes
Publication date
01-10-2004
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 10/2004
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-004-0911-9

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