case_images: PMC11725464_01
case_images: Preoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of patient 1. A : Sagittal view shows a blunt-end upper spinal cord at T12/L1. B : Sagittal view shows the lower spinal cord looks like a conus at S1/2. C : Axial view at T12 shows the upper spinal cord. D : Axial view at L4 shows the connecting fibrous band between the upper spinal cord and the lower spinal cord. E : Axial view shows the lower spinal cord.
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case_images: PMC11725464_01_jkns-2024-0061f1.jpg
case_images: f1-jkns-2024-0061
case_images: We began by administering anti-infective treatment and performed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan which revealed a blunt spinal cord at level T12 and an unidentifiable structure resembling a cone at level S1/2 connected to the upper spinal cord by a fibrous band (Fig. 1) and the urodynamic study revealed detrusor hyperreflexia,small capacity and heavily trabeculated bladder.
case_images: T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of patient 1, 1 year after surgery. A : Sagittal view shows the upper spinal cord at T12/L1 and the lower spinal cord at S1/2. B : Axial view at T11/12 shows the upper spinal cord. C : Axial view shows the lower spinal cord.
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case_images: PMC11725464_01_jkns-2024-0061f2.jpg
case_images: f2-jkns-2024-0061
case_images: One year after surgery, the boy was declared cured of the recurrent infections; however, the urinary, bowel, and lower limb-related problems persisted, and MRI also showed no change in the position of the conus (Fig. 2).
case_images: PMC11725464_02
case_images: Postoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of patient 2. A : Sagittal view shows an enlarged central canal (blue arrow) at the upper spinal cord. B : Sagittal view shows the upper spinal cord (L2) and the lower spinal cord (L3/4) and the fibrous band connecting them. C : Axial view at L1 shows the upper spinal cord and the enlarged central canal. D : Axial view at L2 shows the connecting fibrous band between the "upper spinal cord" and the "lower spinal cord." E : Axial view shows the lower spinal cord.
case_images: jkns-2024-0061f3.jpg
case_images: PMC11725464_02_jkns-2024-0061f3.jpg
case_images: f3-jkns-2024-0061
case_images: Interestingly, MRI showed a discontinuous lumbar spinal cord (Fig. 3).