II. Pathophysiology
- No abnormality of Meninges, spinal cord or nerve roots
III. Symptoms
- Asymptomatic in most cases when skin findings absent
- Symptoms are often associated when skin changes present
- Chronic Low Back Pain with or without radiculopathy
- Ataxia or gait abnormalities
- Bowel or bladder Incontinence or dysfunction
IV. Signs: Low back midline may have overlying skin lesion
- Patch of hair
- Lipoma
- Skin Discoloration
- Dermoid Sinus
- Also associated with Meningocele or Encephalocele
- Risk of infection if true communication
V. Associated Conditions
- Syringomyelia
- Diastematomyelia
- Tethered Cord
VI. Imaging
-
Lumbosacral Spine XRay
- L5-S1 defect in posterior Vertebral closure
VII. References
- Behrman (2000) Nelson Pediatrics, Saunders, p. 1804
- Goetz (1999) Neurology, Saunders, p. 515-16