title: Spina bifida occulta associated with a low-placed conus medullaris.
abstract: From 1977 to the present, we have managed 30 patients with spina bifida occulta associated with a low-placed conus medullaris. Twenty-six patients had surgery performed. Nineteen patients demonstrated urological and neurological improvement. The characteristics of this condition include a cleft spine revealed by plain x-ray, vesicorectal disturbances, local findings (such as a tumor, dimpling, and angioma in the lumbosacral region), and deformities of the feet. Surgery is indicated after confirmation of neurological symptoms, such as a vesicorectal disturbance, after about 1 year of age or older. Operation is not needed immediately after birth.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Tachikawa General Hospital, Nagaoka City, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sofue
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Homma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008067:Lipoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges; D009192:Myelography; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery