Spina bifida occulta vuxen
Sometimes, this structure does not close completely in a developing fetus. This is the most common congenital central nervous system anomaly. The most common type of such neural tube defects is spina bifida.
Spina bifida is a congenital defect of the spine in which the back side of the vertebral column of the spine does not fully develop. The result is a gap in the vertebral column — the protective bony structure that surrounds spinal cord. Depending on severity, a portion of the spinal cord may be exposed, which can cause physical and neurological problems.
Spina Bifida: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments: HSS Pediatrics
Spina bifida occulta is the mildest form of spina bifida. There is a small gap in the vertebral column that usually causes no symptoms in the spinal cord or nerves. Anteroposterior front-to-back lumbosacral spine X-rays show two different examples of spina bifida occulta. Yellow arrows indicate the defect where correct bone fusion did not occur. Children born with more severe forms of spina bifida may have a complete absence of the posterior structures around the spinal cord.
The lack of bony, structural support from the posterior spine allows a sac of cerebral spinal fluid which encases the lowest nerves from the spinal cord to push through the defect. If the sac just contains cerebral spinal fluid, it is called a meningocele, but if the sac contains cerebral spinal fluid as well as nerves, it is called a myelomeningocele.
The illustration at left shows normal spine growth, while that on the right demonstrates a posterior defect associated with spina bifida. Spina bifida may be screened prenatally with a blood test that checks for alpha-fetoprotein levels. It is often diagnosed in utero by ultrasound. Sometimes, more severe forms are diagnosed at birth by physical examination of the spine.
Spina bifida occulta may be incidentally discovered on spine radiographs X-rays later in life.
Spina Bifida Occulta
Genetics and environmental factors may contribute to spina bifida. Folic acid deficiency in early pregnancy is a known risk factor for spina bifida. The causes of spina bifida are multifactorial. This means genetics, nutrition, and environmental factors all may play a role in causing a failure of formation of the posterior spine. It runs in families that transmit genes that cause neural tube defects early in gestation.
Severe meningocele and myelomeningocele forms of spina bifida may require emergency neurosurgery immediately after birth.
Spina Bifida
Subsequent scoliosis and kyphosis may occur over time and require an orthopedic surgeon to perform reconstructive instrumentation and fusion. This procedure corrects and stabilizes the spine to prevent further deformity. Fetal surgery to repair spina bifida usually takes place prior to the third trimester with promising outcomes. This surgery is not performed at Hospital for Special Surgery.
Spina Bifida Occulta - Cleveland Clinic
A multidisciplinary team is essential to take care of a child with severe spina bifida. The team consists of representatives from neurosurgery, neurology, urology, physical therapy, and the orthotics department. Surgical repair procedures are performed by a team that consists of a neurosurgeon, a urologist, and an orthopedist.. No, but spina bifida occulta is usually diagnosed, if ever, incidentally on a spinal X-ray a person gets for some other reason in childhood or adulthood.
The severity of the deformity and adequacy of the surgical repair influence the life expectancy of individuals with spina bifida. Blanco, MD ; Jessica H. Widmann, MD.