High abrupt cord termination: a hallmark of caudal regression syndrome

Abstract

A 10-month-old female infant, born to a diabetic mother, presented with dribbling of urine since birth. Physical examination was unremarkable. Plain radiograph of lower spine showed partial sacral agenesis. MRI of the spine (figure 1) revealed sacrococcygeal hypoplasia (dysplastic S4 vertebra and absent S5 and coccyx). Conus medullaris was blunt ending, club-shaped and terminated at L1 vertebral level. The caudal nerve roots were arranged in anterior and posterior bundles. No associated syrinx was seen. Imaging findings were characteristic of caudal regression syndrome type 1. Figure 1 Sagittal T1-weighted (A), T2-weighted (B) and …