Urodynamics for tethered cord

[KelliD]

My daughter was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation (due to balance issues) in November of 2007 by a radiologist and confirmed by a pediatric neurologist. In January we saw a neurosurgeon who disputed the diagnosis (we weren't wanting surgery for that anyway - just a diagnosis). Then we had an MRI of the lower spine done due to issues with incontinence, leg pain and weakness. That MRI came back showing the conus to be abnormally low (lowest part of L3) and suspicious for tethered cord (no fatty filum). She has urodynamic testing scheduled for the end of April, but the neurosurgeon has already said it will have to show substantial abnormalities before he would consider surgery on her.

She has had incontinence issues since she was 4 (she potty trained easily by the age of 2 1/2). She is now 8 and has almost daily bowel and bladder accidents. Along with that and her leg pain, weakness and the MRI findings, wouldn't that be significant enough for the doctor to think surgery would be warranted? Could she have permanent continence issues if we don't act quicky? Her continence issues seem to come in spurts as well - could they be connected to her growth spurts (pulling on her spinal cord as she grows)? If so, would the urodynamics show inaccurate results if she in not going through a growth spurt at the time of testing? Or will the urodynamic testing give us solid black and white answers instead of more grey?


Thanks, Kelli.

[KelliD]

bumping up

[KelliD]

bumping up