Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome in Dogs

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a rare congenital or acquired condition caused by abnormal caudal positioning and/or traction of the spinal cord and meninges, predominantly observed at the level of the conus medullaris. Congenital TCS may result from a tight filum terminale, characterized by reduced elasticity, shortened length, and/or abnormal composition, and may coexist with malformations. In dogs, TCS has been reported in association with spina bifida, myelomeningocele, myeloschysis, and dermoid sinus type VI. However, it may also occur without overt structural deformities. The term occult tethered cord syndrome (OTCS) has been proposed in such cases. In this webinar, Dr. Javier Espinosa reviews his recent study on 30 dogs with confirmed or presumed OTCS, which aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, MRI findings, treatment modalities, and outcomes in these dogs.