Spina Bifida

This birth defect in the spine and spinal cord happens early in pregnancy. The bones of the spine don't fully form around the spinal cord. This creates a gap where nerves push out from the spine. In severe cases, a sac holding part of the spinal cord comes out of the skin of the back. In milder cases the skin over the back is intact but the nerves and bone may be abnormal and might require MRI imaging to classify the type. Spina bifida involves a spectrum of problems:

1. Meningomyelocele

2. Meningocele

3. Encephalocele

4. Tethered cord

5. Lipomeningocele

6. Split cord malformations

7. Diastometamyelia

Symptoms

• Obvious swelling in the lower back

• Tuft of hair in the lower back

• Back and leg pain

Treatment

• Close observation

• Surgical repair and closure of defect

• Dethering

Spina Bifida treatment in Bangalore