10 Symptoms of Marfan Syndrome
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Symptom #10: Dural Ectasia
Dural ectasia is the weakening of the connective tissue of the dural sac that encases the spinal cord. It can be asymptomatic or cause vague issues such as lower back pain, abdominal pain, leg pain, headaches, numbness, rectal pain, genital pain, urinary retention, incontinence, bowel dysfunction, and bladder dysfunction.
On imaging, it can be seen as the widening of the dural sac and most commonly occurs in the lumbosacral region where the cerebrospinal fluid pressure is the highest. It is aggravated by upright posture and can be relieved by lying down. It occurs in 63 to 92% of those with Marfan syndrome.
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