20. Spine and spinal cord - Congenital disorders and varieties Flashcards
Overview:
Occur due to defects in embryonic development
Spina bifida:
Description:
Failure of neural tube to close completely
Types:
Occulta - mildest form, small gap, no protrusion of SC/meninges, small dimple/hairy pigmented mole, asymptomatic
Meningocele - protrusion of meninges (cyst)
Myelomeningocele - most severe, protrusion of both meninges and SC
Imaging:
US: prenatal
MRI: postnatal
CT: bony abnormalities
Scoliosis:
Description:
lateral curvature with rotation
Types:
Congenital: vertebral anomalies at birth, hemivertebrae + fused vertebrae
Idiopathic: most common, adolescence
Imaging:
X-ray: initial, AP/lateral view (Cobb angle), vertebral positioning
MRI: spinal cord anomalies
CT: detailed images of complex vertebral anomalies
Tethered spinal cord syndrome:
Description: SC attached to surrounding tissues –> limited movement
Cause: spine develops faster than SC –> stretching –> lipoma
Clinical: pain, neurological deficits, bladder/bowel dysfunction
Imaging:
MRI: low conus medullaris (below L2) + thickened filum terminale (>2mm)
US: prenatal detection + postnatal assessment
Klippel-Feil syndrome:
Description: congenital fusion of 2 cervical vertebrae
Clinical: short neck, restricted movement, low hairline
Imaging:
X-ray: fused vertebrae
MRI: SC anomalies + soft tissue structures
CT: detailed evaluation
Lumbarization of S1
Description: S1 acts as lumbar vertebra
Imaging:
X-ray: separation from sacrum
CT: detailed images
Sacralization of L5:
Description: L5 fuses with sacrum
Imaging:
X-ray: fusion of L5 to sacrum
CT: detailed anatomical changes
Hydro-/syringomyelia:
Description:
Syringomyelia: CSF into surrounding white matter –> cyst cavity
Hydromyelia: excess CSF in central canal (chiari malformation, tethered cord, trauma, tumors)
Imaging:
MRI:
t1w - hypintense
t2w - hyperintense
