RecruitingNot Applicable

Investigation of Surgical Sectioning of the Filum Terminale in Treating Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome Patients

United States20 participantsStarted 2022-05-19

Plain-language summary

The investigators hypothesize that surgical release of the filum terminale (strand of fibrous tissue at the end of the spinal cord) is a more efficacious treatment option for symptomatic relief than medical management in subjects with Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome (OTCS) and that the risks do not outweigh the benefit profile.

Who can participate

Age range

2 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female ≥ 2 and \< 80 years of age. * Refractory to medical management of symptoms for at least 1 year. * Documentation of OTCS, as defined by a total score of at least 30 on the following scale: OCCULT Grading Scale (Score 0-100) Orthopedic Abnormality: 0-15; Central Nervous System Dysfunction: 0-25; Cutaneous Stigmata: 0-10; Urological or Bowel Dysfunction: 0-25; Lumbosacral Anatomy: 0-15; Tissue Integrity Disorder: 0-10. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects \< 2 or \> 80 years of age. * Radiographically identified tethered cord, as defined by any of the following: * A low-lying conus (at or below the L2-3 disc space) * A thickened filum (\>2 mm) * Fat in the filum or lipoma * Distinct adhesion or tethering. * A history of Meningocele manqué or Myelomeningocele. * Cutaneous markings of dermal sinus tract. * History of prior surgery on the lumbar spine. * History of prior surgery for spinal dysraphism. * History of prior infection or autoimmune condition of the central nervous system.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in symptoms related to tethered cord, as measured by the OCCULT Scale

Timeframe: Baseline, 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05163899

SponsorWeill Medical College of Cornell University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-12

Contact for this trial

Cynthia Nguyen

(212) 746-1788 cyn4002@med.cornell.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Tethered Cord trials