Split cervical spinal cord malformation and vertebral dysgenesis

• Published in: Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research Vol. 95; no. 7; pp. 547 - 550
• Main Authors: Andro, C, Pecquery, R, De Vries, P, Forlodou, P, Fenoll, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01-11-2009
• Subjects: Cervical vertebrae; Cervical Vertebrae - abnormalities; Child; Congenital abnormalities; Diagnosis, Differential; Diplomyelia; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Infant, Newborn; Klippel-Feil Syndrome - diagnosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neural tube defects; Neural Tube Defects - diagnosis; Neurologic Examination; Orthopedics; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Spinal dysgenesis; Spinal Dysraphism - diagnosis; Surgery; Thoracic Vertebrae - abnormalities; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Spinal dysgenesis; Congenital abnormalities; Diplomyelia; Cervical vertebrae; Neural tube defects
• ISSN: 1877-0568; 1877-0568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2009.07.012

Summary We report a case of vertebral malformation associated with diplomyelia believed to be a type II split cord malformation. Cervicothoracic level cases are exceptional. This article reports the case of an 11-year-old boy with no neurological symptoms who had not undergone surgery. The diagnosis was made during pregnancy by prenatal screening with ultrasound and MRI. Several embryological theories have been offered to provide an explanation for this syndrome. Close follow-up is mandatory. Surgery must only be considered if neurological deterioration occurs.