Brande-Scoliosis - Chiari - Tethered Cord

[Guest guest]

Hi Brande,

Would you send info about and references regarding a tethered spinal cord not

being an NTD?

Thanks -

Kathy

Re: Scoliosis - Chiari - Tethered Cord

Again, sorry for the past due reply due to a long hiatus from responding.

While I see what you are saying......I think it is also a good idea to keep

in

mind that these 2 conditions, even when seen together. can be 2 separate

conditions, possibly needing 2 separate treatments (if both issues are

symptomatic,

either at the same time, or different times), as well. Infact after my first

Detethering (

which was deemed unnecessary by many) my Scoliosis got worse quite soon

afterwards,

thus leading me to have a Spinal Fusion sooner than what was expected.

Same with Chiari and Tethered Cord.......they can very well be 2 separate

conditions

seen together, but maybe 2 separate conditions not dependent upon one

another.

I believe there is some dispute on whether Tethered Cord is truly an NTD.

Even

if it is, there are still some cases of Tethered Cord that would not be an

NTD. In

saying that, though, Tethered Cord is commonly seen in a person with an NTD

(Spina Bifida),

but that doesn't make the Tethered Cord the NTD.

Brande

mymocha@...

> Scoliosis is common with TC - especially in children. In a person without

> TC, the cord would rise up as the child grows. But in a child with TC, the

> cord is stuck. The spinal column continues to grow just like it should,

> but

> since the cord is stuck and the bottom (tether) and top (brain) the spine

> cannot grow like normal and curves as length is added to compensate. Make

> sense? Its difficult for me to explain.

>

> As far as the chiari, often the TC release can fix the herniation, or at

> least reduce it to an asymptomatic level. It definately sounds like an

> untethering is in order. And I would definitely have that surgery before

> touching the chiari and then re-evaluate the herniation. From the sound of

> it, this should have been Dx much earlier - long before such a large curve

> set in. Her cord may be so tight that the tension from the tether is

> causing

> her chiari.

>

>

> as far as the cause of TC - it is a neural tube defect. It occurs before

> the

> 5th week of pregnancy, when the neural fold closes improperly. While they

> have not found a definite cause, they suspect is a combination of genetic,

> environmental and other factors. Taking enough folic acid can reduce the

> incidence of NTD by 70%. The problem is that most women start taking

> vitamin

> supplements once they get the positive pregnancy test. But the defect has

> already occured by the time most women discover they are pregennt. And if

> they find out at the 3 or 4th week, it is still unlikely that

> supplementation can raise the blood level high enough.