What is 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 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 thecal sac made of?

What is a Thecal Sac : Definition and Structure The thecal sac is a covering of the spinal canal that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. It is made up of outer arachnoid membrane and inner dura. It is wider in females.

What does empty thecal sac mean?

The empty thecal sac sign or empty sac sign is when the thecal sac appears empty on MRI of the lumbar spine, best seen on T2-weighted images. If the empty thecal sac sign is present, a diagnosis of adhesive arachnoiditis can be made.

What causes thecal sac stenosis?

The causes of spinal stenosis include bulging or herniated disk, facet arthropathy, and thickening and buckling of the interlaminar ligaments. All these inciting factors tend to worsen with age.

How do you relieve spinal compression?

How is spinal cord compression treated?

Medicines may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that relieve pain and swelling, and steroid injections that reduce swelling.
Physical therapy may include exercises to strengthen your back, abdominal, and leg muscles.

Does the thecal sac have nerves?

Neural Anatomy. 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 most important derivatives of the sacral plexus are the sciatic and pudendal nerves.

Where does the thecal sac begin?

It is the space within the thecal sac which extends from below the end of the spinal cord (the conus medularis), typically at the level of the first to second lumbar vertebrae down to tapering of the dura at the level of the second sacral vertebra.