Related Experiment Videos
Split cord malformation in adults
Kamil Melih Akay1, Yusuf Izci, Alper Baysefer
1Department of Neurosurgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. kmakay45@hotmail.com
Neurosurgical Review
|November 18, 2003
Summary
Split cord malformations in adults are rare, often presenting as persistent low back pain. Surgery can alleviate pain short-term, but long-term efficacy requires further study for these spinal cord conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Split cord malformations (SCMs) are rare congenital anomalies.
- Their presentation and management in adults are not well-defined due to limited data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical presentation, surgical indications, and outcomes of SCMs in young adults.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical intervention for symptomatic adult SCM patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for nine young adult patients diagnosed with SCMs.
- Analysis of clinical complaints, physical findings, radiological features, and surgical outcomes.
Main Results:
- The most frequent symptom was chronic radicular low back pain (>1 year).
- Hypertrichosis was the most common physical finding; scoliosis and foot deformities were absent.
- All patients had a low-situated conus medullaris.
- Eight patients underwent surgery, reporting short-term pain reduction, though not complete resolution.
Conclusions:
- Radicular pain is a primary surgical indication for adult SCMs, with promising short-term surgical outcomes.
- Long-term pain improvement needs further evaluation to confirm surgical benefits.
- Symptomatic young adults with SCMs may benefit from surgery for symptom and deficit stabilization.