How is Spinal Dysraphism diagnosed?

How is Spinal Dysraphism diagnosed?

How do doctors diagnose spinal dysraphism? At around 15 weeks gestation, a blood test measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (a protein made by your baby’s developing liver). If the AFP levels are higher than usual, your doctor may suggest more tests to check for spinal dysraphism.

Why would a newborn need a spinal ultrasound?

A spinal ultrasound is performed to evaluate the spinal cord of an infant. Most commonly this ultrasound is requested when babies are born with a dimple on the lower end of their spine or tail bone. The ultrasound can evaluate the location of the spinal cord and verify the closure of the vertebrae.

What is the main features of spinal cord in newborns?

Typical indications for spinal US in newborns and infants are skin-covered masses and midline cutaneous malformations of the back (eg, dimple, hemangiomatous or hairy lesion), which are suggestive of associated dysraphic anomalies of the spinal cord.

At what level does the spinal cord end in newborns?

L2/L3
In the newborn/infant group the spinal cord terminated most frequently at the level of L2/L3 (16%). In the childhood stage, the spinal cord terminated at the levels of T12/L1 and the lower third of L1 (21%). In the adolescent population, it was most often found at the level of the middle third of L1 and L1/L2 (19%).

Is Diastematomyelia spina bifida?

Diastematomyelia, a type of spina bifida, describes a congenital spinal dysraphism resulting in a split cord malformation. The spinal cord is longitudinally divided into two ‘hemicords,’ each surrounded by its own dural tube and separated by a midline bony spur or cartilaginous or fibrous ridge or band.

Is spinal dysraphism the same as spina bifida?

Spinal dysraphism (also called spina bifida) is a condition in which a baby’s spine and spinal cord do not form properly during pregnancy. The spine and spinal cords are then exposed to the surrounding environment inside or outside the body.

What causes spinal birth defects?

Doctors aren’t certain what causes spina bifida. It’s thought to result from a combination of genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors, such as a family history of neural tube defects and folate (vitamin B-9) deficiency.

What does a spinal ultrasound show?

Spinal ultrasound is used in diagnosing occult and non-occult spinal dysraphism (SD), evaluating spinal cord tumors and vascular malformations and in cases of birth-related trauma. SD, the most common congenital abnormality of the central nervous system, covers a spectrum of congenital disorders.

Where does a child spinal cord end?

The lumbar region is where the spinal cord ends (the spinal cord is shorter than the spine). After the lumbar spinal cord ends, it continues as a bundle of nerve roots in the lower back (the cauda equina). An intervertebral disk in the lumbar spine may herniate or move into the space containing a nerve root.

Where does the spinal cord begin in an infant?

The spinal cord is a cylindrical, grayish white structure that begins above at the foramen magnum, where it is continuous with the medulla oblongata of the brain.

What causes Diastematomyelia?

This condition is caused by an osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous septum, producing a complete or incomplete sagittal division of the spinal cord into two hemicords. 1 It may be isolated or associated with other segmental anomalies of the vertebral bodies.