Multiple neural tube defects: a rare combination of limited dorsal myeloschisis, diplomyelia with dorsal bony spur, sacral meningocoele, syringohydromyelia, and tethered cord.

Abstract

Multiple neural tube defects are relatively rare. They account for less than 1% reported neural tube defects. Cases of limited dorsal myeloschisis (LDM) and diplomyelia (two cords in single sac without intervening bony or fibrous septae) with dorsal bony spur are also a rare event. Here, the authors report a rare case of neonate with thoracic LDM, diplomyelia with dorsal bony spur, sacral meningocoele with syringohydromyelia, and low-lying tethered cord. The child also had a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and bilateral rocker bottom feet. Various environmental factors and genetic mutations in transmembrane proteins have been studied in animal models explaining the origin of neural tube defects. To the best of author's knowledge, this is the first case of varied multiple neural tube defects with diplomyelia reported in world literature.