[Two cases of diastematomyelia: its evaluation with MR imaging]

We experienced two cases of diastematomyelia. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was very useful in definitive diagnosis and detection of associated abnormalities. Case 1 was a 5-year-old boy. He was admitted because of foot-length discrepancy. He also presented scoliosis, hypertrichosis and pigmentation in his back skin, and foot deformity. Myelography and CT myelography revealed bony septum and split cord at midthoracic level, and two separated taut filum terminalis in the lumbosacral region. Sagittal MR image delineated the taut filum terminale adhering to the lipomatous tissue at the end of dural sac. Removal of the septum and division of the taut filum terminalis were performed. Case 2 was a newborn baby. She was admitted because of bulging of the back skin in the lumbosacral region and foot deformity. Plain CT revealed bony septum at lumbar level. Myelography was not performed. MR image demonstrated the split cord in its entirety, the bony septum and its structures in detail, and the associated lipoma. Removal of the septum and resection of the lipoma were performed. Diastematomyelia has been able to be definitely diagnosed only by myelography or CT myelography. In our case, MR image gave visualization of septum and split cord in its entirety, and also detected the associated anomalies such as lipoma, tight filum terminale. MRI has possibility of becoming a diagnostic technique in place of myelography and CT myelography.