Neuro

Spina Bifida Occulta

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Spina Bifida Occulta

  • See Also
  1. Spinal Dysraphism
  • Pathophysiology
  1. No abnormality of Meninges, spinal cord or nerve roots
  • Symptoms
  1. Asymptomatic in most cases when skin findings absent
  2. Symptoms are often associated when skin changes present
    1. Chronic Low Back Pain with or without radiculopathy
    2. Ataxia or gait abnormalities
    3. Bowel or bladder Incontinence or dysfunction
  • Signs
  • Low back midline may have overlying skin lesion
  1. Patch of hair
  2. Lipoma
  3. Skin Discoloration
  4. Dermoid Sinus
    1. Also associated with Meningocele or Encephalocele
    2. Risk of infection if true communication
  • Associated Conditions
  1. Syringomyelia
  2. Diastematomyelia
  3. Tethered Cord
  • Imaging
  1. Lumbosacral Spine XRay
    1. L5-S1 defect in posterior Vertebral closure
  • References
  1. Behrman (2000) Nelson Pediatrics, Saunders, p. 1804
  2. Goetz (1999) Neurology, Saunders, p. 515-16