Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2021 , Vol 31 , Num 1
Occult Spinal Dysraphisms
Nazlı ÇAKICI1
1Medicana International İstanbul Hastanesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye Occult spinal dysraphisms include a series of congenital spinal anomalies that occur during the embryological development of the spinal cord and surrounding mesenchymal and ectodermal structures. Although they differ from each other clinically, embryologically, and anatomically, the common purpose of their treatment is to preserve the current neurological status and, if possible, to improve it to a better level. The occult spinal dysraphisms group consists of the following main topics: lipomyelomeningocele, split spinal cord anomaly, dermal sinus, meningocele manquè, and fatty-thick filum terminale anomalies. Sometimes the patients have more than one spinal anomaly. Cutaneous stigmata, which are a warning for the presence of closed spinal dysraphism, are observed in the majority of patients. Surgical and conservative treatment options are still controversial in some anomaly groups. Some neurological, urodynamic and musculoskeletal findings are present in the patients from birth, but neurologic and urodynamic findings arise with the development of the tethered cord syndrome in most of them. Some of the patients may be asymptomatic and neurologically normal. Therefore, surgical and conservative treatment options are still controversial in some anomalies. Anahtar Kelimeler : Occult spinal dysraphisms, Lipomyelomeningocele, Split cord malformation, Dermal sinus, Fatty filum terminale