Meningocele manqué (from French, literally "missed meningocele") is a rare condition characterized by focal dorsal tethering of the spinal cord. The term is used to designate a meningocele which failed to develop and became atretic.
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Epidemiology
It has been reported in neonates, but median age at diagnosis in one series was 12 years old 2.
Clinical presentation
The clinical presentation is not specific; the condition has been reported in asymptomatic patients. The following presentations have been also been described: cutaneous stigmata, progressive lower extremity deficits, lower extremity deformity, foot atrophy, etc.
Pathology
It is caused by a single or multiple fibrous bands, or atretic neural tissue, that is adherent to dura 1. It may be congenital or acquired, potentially exacerbated by repeated episodes of extension and flexion 1.
Radiographic features
Dorsal tethering and triangular configuration of the spinal cord are the main findings. It is also associated with 2:
- diastematomyelia (40% in one series)
- lipoma (including dorsal lipoma and filum terminale lipoma)
- dermoid cyst
- neurenteric cyst
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