[An unusual case of duplication of the spinal canal]
N Ranguelov1, S Sourtzis, I Delpierre
1Service de Pédiatrie, C.H.U. de Charleroi.
Abstract:
We describe here a very rare congenital malformation, in which the vertebra Th 9 to 11 were divided into independent bodies and neural arches. The vertebral canal contained the spinal cord, whereas the space between bodies and arches was filled by nerve roots and a central remnant cord, not clearly connected to the main spinal cord. This malformation was considered as related to a fetal alcohol syndrome, with craniofacial and genitourinary abnormalities. The authors analyze, moreover the possible role of abnormal Sonic Hedgehog gene patterning in the pathogeny of this complex malformative sequence.
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