Bladder abnormalities such as failure to urinate and empty the bladder completely 4. Unexplained constipation 5. Disparity of growth of the legs or neurological findings in the lower extremities including sensory abnormalities 6. Ultrasound of the the lower back is an effective noninvasive screening tool. Tethered cords are often asymptomatic until the child is ambulatory or presents with neurologic deficits.
Ischemic changes are a result of tension on the cord.
Children may present with pain in the lower extremities, a limp, atrophy of an extremity, sensory abnormalities, urinary incontinence, and bowel difficulties. The bilateral nature of the symptoms and multiple levels of involvement, may be clues to the diagnosis. Prompt neurosurgical referral is suggested. Kriss Vesna, Kriss Timothy, Desai Nirmala, Warf Benjamin. Occult Dysraphism in the Infant.