Spina Bifida

Question 1

spina bifida definition

Answer 1

failure of the two halves of the poster vertebral arch to fuse together resulting in a defect which occurs before 6 weeks gestation

Question 2

risk factors for spina bifida

Answer 2

folic acid deficiency and obesity

Question 3

spina bifida occulta

Answer 3

is the least severe type of spina bifida and is usually completely asymptomatic as no structure herniate out through the defect, there may be a tell tale dimple or tuft of hair overlying the defect

Question 4

uncommon complication of spina bifida occulta

Answer 4

tethering of the spinal cord may occur causing a high arched foot (pes cavus) and clawed toes

Question 5

spina bifida cystica

Answer 5

most severe type and is subdivided into meningoceal and myelomeningoceal

Question 6

meningoceal

Answer 6

is the least severe of the spina bifida cysticas and is the least common of all the spina bifidas, only involves herniation of the meninges so is mostly asymptomatic

Question 7

myelomenigoceal

Answer 7

most severe of the spina bifida cystic and involves the herniation of the meninges, spinal cord and CSF through the defect causing both a sensory and motor defect to all areas below it

Question 8

what is myelomenigoceal covered by

Answer 8

usually only a thin sac of skin but in rare cases this may not be present leaving the spinal nerves exposed causing a massive risk of infection

Question 9

myleomenigoceal spina bifida is commonly associated with

Answer 9

arnold chiarri 2 malformation which causes the contents of the brainstem and the cerebellum to slip down the foramen magnum causing hydrocephalus

Question 10

management of spina bifida cystic

Answer 10

• hydrocephalus is treated using a shunt from the ventricles of the brain to the right atrium, peritoneal cavity and pleural cavity
• spina bifida should be closed within 48 hours due to the massive risk of infection