Tethered spinal cord and VACTERL association

Abstract

The authors found that in patients with VACTERL association there was a high incidence of TSC (seven of nine patients) if an imperforate anus was present as one of the anomalies. In patients with VACTERL association and urogenital anomalies, the incidence of TSC was even higher (86%). Five of the seven cases of TSC in the present study were caused by a TFL, a lesion that can be easily and safely managed surgically. The authors conclude that MR imaging is essential for ruling out the possibility of a TSC in patients with VACTERL association combined with urogenital anomalies or an imperforate anus.