Female, 36 years old, with low back pain and clicking. Transitional morphology of the L5 vertebral body is noted. Vertebral body height and morphology are within normal limits. No pathologic marrow replacement or marrow edema is observed. Sagittal alignment of the spine is anatomic.The visualized distal spinal cord is unremarkable. The conus tip terminates at the level of the lower L2 endplate which is just within normal limits. Fatty infiltration of the filum terminale is evident beginning at the L2-3 level and continuing down into the sacrum. The fatty filum measures up to 6 mm in diameter. No epidural abnormalities are suspected.The intervertebral discs are preserved. No significant bulge or herniation is seen. Facet arthropathy is evident at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1.
1.Fatty infiltration of the filum terminale is noted. This can be an incidental asymptomatic finding in adults, but correlation with clinical features of tethered cord is suggested.2.Facet arthropathy is evident in the lower lumbar spine. The intervertebral discs are preserved. No significant compromise of the spinal canal or neural foramina is seen.