What does effacement of the ventral thecal sac mean?
Effacement of the thecal sac means that the thecal sac is being shortened or narrowed, according to the Free Dictionary. Disc herniations of the central vertebrae are most likely to impinge upon the thecal sac. Thecal sac compression usually produces no noticeable symptoms.
What is a thecal sac?
Thecal sac is the outer covering of the spinal cord. This means there are bone spurs on the back of the spinal bones, putting pressure on or affecting the front part of the outer layer of the (neck) cervical spinal cord.
What does flattening of the spinal cord mean?
As you age, inflammation, arthritic illness, bone spurs and the flattening of the spinal discs between the vertebrae can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots.
Does thecal sac compression cause pain?
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 nerves are affected by c5 c6?
A c5-c6 herniated disc can affect the nerves that control the muscles in the arms, neck, shoulders, hands as well as the head, eyes, ears, or thyroid gland. Symptoms in these areas in addition to pain in the neck is very common with c5-c6 disc herniations.
How serious is spinal cord compression?
Spinal cord compression can cause cauda equina syndrome, which needs medical attention right away. Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control. Severe or increasing numbness between your legs, inner thighs, or back of your legs.
What is the treatment for thecal sac compression?
MRI is generally the preferred imaging modality because of its noninvasive ability to study the entire thecal sac. Surgery and radiotherapy are the primary approaches to treat tumor compressing the spinal cord.
What happens if 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).
What is the ventral thecal sac?
The ventral thecal sac refers to the ventral, or front side of the thecal sac, which is a membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and some cerebrospinal fluid. A diagnosis of spinal injury and disease takes the appearance of the thecal sac into consideration.
What causes compression of the thecal sac?
Compression of the thecal sac can arise from a number of factors. These factors include: Tumors that develop in the brain can also exert pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, which in turn impinges on thecal sac. As a result affects the caudal nerve roots hence causing cauda equina syndrome.
What happens when pressure is applied to the thecal sac?
Since thecal sac houses spinal cord and cauda equina, it cushions them against damage from other spinal structures. Pressure exerted on the thecal sac can cause the disk to bulge. This pressure can tear the spinal cord.
What causes pain in the thecal sac of the spine?
Indentations into the thecal sac can result in pain or weakness as they pinch the nerves in the spinal cord. Disc fragmentation in the spine can also affect the thecal sac.