Dural ectasia is a widening or ballooning of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord usually at the lumbosacral level. It is one of the major manifestations of Marfan syndrome. It may cause low back pain, headaches and neurological signs such as weakness and loss of bowel and bladder function, but in many patients it is asymptomatic.most common clinical finding in marfan syndrome present in more than 90% of cases.Patient require an MRI of spine to confirm diagnosis

Dural ectasia may also manifest in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome,^[1] Neurofibromatosis,^[2] and cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis.^[3]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ National Marfan Foundation: Dural Ectasia

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