Is thecal sac compression serious?
Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression is a common complication of cancer that can cause pain and potentiaLly irreversible loss of neurologic function. In most cases this syndrome is caused by compression of the thecal sac and the spinal cord by extradural metastatic mass.
What happens when the thecal sac is compressed?
If there is central stenosis and marked compression of the entire dural/thecal sac, the patient may demonstrate paralysis (e.g., cauda equina syndrome) with sphincter loss (bladder and rectal dysfunction).
Does thecal sac compression require surgery?
Treatment for Spinal Cord Compression Non-surgical treatments can be very effective in controlling pain and reducing inflammation. Depending on the patient, surgery may not be necessary. When non-surgical methods fail to treat severe neurological issues or pain, surgery may be the best course of action.
What nerves are in the thecal sac?
Neural Anatomy. The thecal sac ends blindly at the S2 level. The lower sacral and coccygeal nerves emerge from the sac, as does the extradural portion of the filum terminale. The upper four roots exit the sacrum through the paired ventral and dorsal sacral foramina.
What causes thecal sac deformity?
Disruption of the dural sac may occur as a complication of a medical procedure, or as a consequence of trauma causing a cerebrospinal fluid leak, or spontaneously resulting in a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak.
How big is the thecal sac?
Orrison et al8 performed a postmortem study and found that the average posterior thecal sac size at C1–C2 in the neutral position was 4.3 mm, in a range similar to that of measurements obtained in our study.
Does indentation of the thecal sac cause pain?
This bulging material may contact or “pinch” the thecal sac or nerve roots. There are a variety of symptoms n a case like the one above. Some people may experience little to no discomfort, while others may have severe radicular pain, which travels to the shoulder blade, down the arm and into the hand or fingers.
What is the thecal sac made of?
The dura mater and arachnoid mater are collectively called the dural sac or the thecal sac.
Can arachnoiditis go away on its own?
It can be caused by an infection, injury or chronic compression of the spinal cord. There is no cure for arachnoiditis.
What causes thecal sac effacement?
This is typically caused by some sort of trauma to the cervical spine, like an auto accident, sports injury, or damage from a large extruded disc. Thecal Sac Effacement: The thecal sac or dural sac is the membranous sheath (theca) or tube of dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina.