The Surgery of Occult Spinal Dysraphism

Abstract

The spinal dysraphism state includes all lesions which are the consequence of incomplete formation of the midline structures of the dorsum. It is therefore related to all forms of spina bifida (spina bifida aperta or cystica) as well as occult spinal dysraphism. The basic differences of both malformations result from the nature of their origin, Spina bifida cystica is an intrinsic failure of development of the spinal cord tissues. with added destructive processes is utero and cellular dysplasia. together with brain anomalies. By contrast, in spina bifida ooculta there may be some dysplasia on the spinal cord but none of the other destructive processes. Chiari malformation is very unusual in spina bifida occulta. The term occulta means toac the malformation is covered by skin, with no cutaneous abnormalities. Occult spinal dysraphism and spina bifida occulta are genenlly synonymous. We prefer the term occult spinal dysraphism to spina bifida occulta. The common pathological finding is a tethered spinal cord even is lesions such as dermal sinus or neurenteric cysts (typically considered as occult spinal dysraphic lesions) are not generally associated with tethering of the spinal cord.