[Spinal anesthesia in a patient with spina bifida occulta]

A 32-year-old woman with spina bifida occulta was scheduled for hemorroidectomy under spinal anesthesia. Preoperatively, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. The MRI demonstrated the conus medul laris reaching the L 3 level and a lipoma connected with conus medullaris intrathecally. Spinal anesthesia was done successfully at the L 3-4 interspace using 0.3% dibucaine 1.2 ml with 5% glucose 0.8 ml. Postoperatively she showed no neurologic complications. With exact anatomical findings of MRI, spinal anesthesia can be safely performed for patients with spina bifida occulta.