Presentation
Lumbar hypertrichosis. Rule out spinal dysraphism.
Patient Data
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The MRI sequences demonstrate:
low lying spinal cord terminating at L4-L5 level
diastematomyelia type I at L4 (hemicords separated by a bony spur)
spina bifida at several levels with no meningocele or myelomeningocele
mild lumbar scoliosis of left-sided convexity
Case Discussion
MRI features of diastematomyelia, also known as a split cord malformation type I which is the classic type characterized by:
duplicated dural sac with midline spur (osseous or osteocartilaginous)
associated hydromyelia is common
vertebral abnormalities such as hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, spina bifida
cutaneous pigmentation, hypertrichosis, hemangioma are common
patients are usually symptomatic presenting with scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome