What does thecal sac effacement mean?
What does thecal sac effacement mean?
The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord. When effacement or impingement is identified on the report, it means that the sheathe surrounding your spinal cord and nerves is being pressed on.
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 in the thecal sac?
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.
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 does flattening of the thecal sac mean?
Thecal sac flattening occurs when a herniated disc has into the spinal canal that it is pushing on the thecal sac.
What is the normal thecal sac diameter?
normally the A-P diameter of the Lumbar canal which has the thecal sac is greater than 13 mm. 8 mm is severe / absolute narrowing and hence the nerve compression due to narrowing of the exit foramina (holes) and slipped disc. your spine surgeon will be the best judge to guide your treatment.
What is narrowing of the thecal sac?
Narrowing of the central canal (called central stenosis) in the lumbar (low back) area can compress the thecal sac. This narrowing can cause pressure on the nerve bundle at the end of the spinal cord (cauda equina), or the individual nerves within the thecal sac.
What is the treatment for thecal sac compression?
Conservative and Traditional Medical Treatments. Thecal sac indentation can be treated by patients ceasing the aggravating behavior, engaging in stretches and exercises (including yoga and Pilates), chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
