Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
04:12
Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Congenital hydrocephalus associated with myeloschisis
Yasser Jeelani1, J Gordon McComb
1Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Summary
Open neural tube defects (NTDs) involve exposed neural tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loss, leading to severe central nervous system malformations like hydrocephalus. Myelomeningocele and myeloschisis present similarly, differing only in an initial cystic component.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neurology
- Medical science
Background:
- Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital abnormalities classified as open or closed.
- Open NTDs feature exposed neural tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
- Closed NTDs lack exposed neural tissue and CSF drainage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate between subtypes of open neural tube defects.
- To highlight commonalities and distinctions in clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on open neural tube defects.
- Comparative analysis of myelomeningocele, myeloschisis, and hemimyelomeningocele.
Main Results:
- Open NTDs, including myelomeningocele, myeloschisis, and hemimyelomeningocele, involve CSF loss during fetal development.
- This CSF loss results in significant central nervous system malformations.
- Hydrocephalus is a common complication in these conditions.
Conclusions:
- Myelomeningocele and myeloschisis are forms of open NTDs with similar clinical presentations.
- The primary distinction lies in the presence (myelomeningocele) or absence (myeloschisis) of a cystic component at birth.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:19Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
01:30Neurulation
Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...