Split Cord Malformations

Upper Chesapeake Spine ConferenceMay 6, 2016

Diastema: split/cleft

Myelon: marrow in ancient greek, refers to cord

• 73 year old woman L LBP lower pain weakness• HPI: one month symptoms,

much improved• PMH: ACDF, chole,

emphysema, low thyroid• Med: Prolastin,

levothyroxine, HCTZ, metoprolol, succinate ER, venlafaxine, KCl, trazodone• Allerg: MSO4• Exam 5’1” 145 lb,

trendeleberg list, L hip abductor weakness cannot stand on L leg single stance, L anke DF 2/5 motor• IMP: L L radiculopathy

foramenal stenosis

Charles Prosper Ollivier d'Angers (1796-1845)officer napoleons young guard served in Battle of Waterloo and left the militaryfather was a pharmacistno microscopespinal cord researchercoined the term syringomyeliapractitioner/anatomist/pathologiststudied embryology

Diastematomyelia

diplomyelia

spinal dysraphism

split cord malformation

1. 2 hemicords, individual dural tubes, midline osteocartilagenous spur

2. 2 hemicords, single dural tube, nonrigid fibrous septum

Hypertrichosis (half of diastematomyelia cases)

Cross section diagrams of spinal lesions seen in spina bifida. (A) Myelomeningocele. (B) Myeloschisis. (C) Diastematomyelia with a spur and hypertrichosis in association with SB occulta. (D) Myelodysplasia with a meningocele and subcutaneous lipoma.

thanks