Paraplegia after Tethered Cord Surgery: An Uncommon Combined Anomaly of Spinal Arteriovenous Fistula and Sacral Lipoma— Case Report

Abstract

The patient had immediate improvement in sensory symptoms after surgery. At a 9 month follow-up examination, he had regained the ability to walk with crutches, but his bladder dysfunction persisted. Recognition of co-existing vascular anomalies, such as spinal AVMs, is important in patients with tethered cords. The mechanisms involved in this patient's worsening neurological condition after release of the tethered cord are discussed.