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Split cord malformations--a clinical study of 48 cases.
1Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India. ajindal1@yahoo.com
Indian Pediatrics
|June 27, 2000
Summary
Split cord malformations are rare spinal cord disorders. Surgery offers good outcomes, with approximately 90% of patients experiencing improvement or stabilization of neurological deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Neurology
- Spinal Cord Disorders
Background:
- Split cord malformation (SCM) is a rare congenital anomaly of the spinal cord.
- SCMs can lead to significant neurological deficits and require timely surgical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the clinical characteristics of split cord malformations.
- To assess the surgical outcomes for patients with SCMs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 48 patients with SCMs operated over six years.
- Clinical and radiological evaluation, including MRI, to diagnose SCMs and associated lesions.
Main Results:
- The dorsolumbar and lumbar regions were most frequently affected.
- Motor deficits (weakness, atrophy, gait disturbance) and sensory complaints (hypoesthesia) were common.
- Surgical intervention resulted in improvement or stabilization in 90% of symptomatic patients, with minimal complications.
Conclusions:
- SCMs necessitate a comprehensive evaluation of the entire neural axis to identify associated anomalies.
- Surgical treatment of SCMs can yield favorable outcomes with a low complication rate.