title: Lipomyelomeningocele: prenatal diagnosis and management.
abstract: Spina bifida is one of the many congenital malformations possibly detectable in utero with ultrasound. Prenatal diagnosis can be useful in planning prompt, appropriate neonatal care of the infant. Lipomyelomeningocele (lipomyeloschisis) is a common subtype of spinal dysraphism. Prognosis for the infant with this skin-covered lesion is very good if appropriate care is provided early. Neonatal resection of these congenital lipomatous tumors is necessary to prevent tethering of the spinal cord that might lead to irreversible neurologic damage if not released. The prenatal ultrasonic appearance of lipomyelomeningocele is illustrated and the clinical presentation, implications, and neonatal neurosurgical care are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography