Objective: To evaluate the positions of the conus medullaris in patients with Parkinson’s disease(PD). To know the prevalence of isolated lipoma of filum terminale(LFT) in patients with PD.

Background: Lower conus medullaris positons and isolated LFT are associated with pain and urinary dysfunction, and with severe constipation. These clinical features are the same as the features of PD. In normally developed adults, conus medullaris positions are within L1 or intervertebral space of L1/L2, the prevalence of isolated LFT is 3.2-4.0%.

Methods: In a retrospective study, 28 patients of PD are reviewed about their lumbosacral MRI scans. A total of 12 patients (7 men and 5 women; mean age, 69.0) with complete lumbosacral MRI scans are included. The position of the tip of the conus medullaris are defined in relation to the vertebra or disk space. A vertebral body is divided into 3 parts (upper, middle, and lower third).

Results: 5 of 12 patients (42%) show that the position of conus medullaris is upper third of L2. 8 of 12 patients (67%) show the position of the conus medullaris is L2 vertebral body. These distribution patterns are significantly different from those of normal adults (P<0.05). The prevalence of isolated LFT in PD patients is 17% (2 of 12).

Conclusions: The positions of conus medullaris in PD patients are lower, and the prevalence of isolated LFT in PD patients are higher than normal adults. These findings may contribute to revealing mechanism of PD and to the correct treatments for non-motor symptoms of PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-position-of-the-conus-medullaris-and-the-prevalence-of-isolated-lipoma-of-filum-terminale-in-parkinsons-disease/