Skip to main content

Meningomyelocele

Sondra M. M De Antonio, MD, MD and John Francis Bertagnolli, D.O. Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Protrusion of nerve tissue and its covering through a defect involving lumbosacral vertebrae

  • Caused by incomplete neural tube closure during 3 to 4 weeks’ gestation, thus exposing men...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Usually occur as isolated incidents 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Examination of an infant’s lower back reveals obvious meningomyelocele involving lumbosacral spine.

  • Typically flaccid paraparesis below...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Pediatric specialists in neurosurgery, orthopedics, physiatry, urology, nursing, psychology, and social services are all necessary for a comprehensive integrated program of c...

ONGOING CARE

Periodic follow-up, usually every 6 months to assess 
  • Head circumference (infants)

  • Ocular status

  • Developmental status

  • Motor status, including grasp strength in cooperative patients

  • Urologic an...

REFERENCES

1
Jiang  J, Zhang  Y, Wei  L, et al. Association between MTHFD1 G1958A polymorphism and neural tube defects susceptibility: a meta-analysis. PLoS One.  2014;9(6)...

CODES

ICD10

  • Q05.9 Spina bifida, unspecified

  • Q05.4 Unspecified spina bifida with hydrocephalus

  • Q07.03 Arnold-Chiari syndrome with spina bifida and hydrocephalus

  • Q05.6 Thoracic spina bifida without hydrocep...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Maternal folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation prior to conception and through 1st trimester reduces risk .

  • A comprehensive integrated team of specialists provides optimal care.

  • Ant...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×