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Adult diastematomyelia
N A Russell1, B G Benoit, A J Joaquin
1Division of Neurosurgery, Ottawa Civic Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Diastematomyelia, a form of spinal dysraphism, can present in adults and be triggered by trauma. Surgical removal of a bony septum corrected the condition and relieved symptoms in a 42-year-old woman.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Spinal dysraphism is increasingly diagnosed in adults due to advanced imaging.
- Diastematomyelia is a congenital condition where the spinal cord is split.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman presented with diastematomyelia symptoms triggered by trauma.
- She had a posterior midline hair patch and vertebral malformations.
- Imaging revealed a bony septum at T11, splitting the spinal cord into two hemicords.
Findings:
- Metrizamide myelography and CT identified a bony septum at T11 with a cleft from T9-T11.
- The septum separated two dural tubes, each containing a spinal hemicord.
- Surgical excision of the bony septum was performed.
Implications:
- Trauma can precipitate symptoms in adult patients with previously undiagnosed diastematomyelia.
- Surgical intervention for diastematomyelia can lead to complete symptom relief.
- This case highlights the importance of considering spinal dysraphism in adults presenting with neurological deficits post-trauma.