T1-weighted sagittal image
T1-weighted axial image
43 y/o woman with low back pain.
A linear area of increased signal is seen on the sagittal image in the filum terminale on T1-weighted images. On the axial image, a focus of increased signal is seen in the cross-section of the filum.
A fatty filum terminale is found in a small percentage (<1%) of normal patients. This finding as well as fibrolipomas of the filum are occationally associate with tethered cords and a low lying conus medullaris.