Diastematomyelia: a congenital anomaly not to be confused with a giant hairy nevus.
The role of the plastic surgeon in the diagnosis and management of congenital anomalies is often a complicated one that involves the integration of input from numerous specialists into the evaluation process. Diastematomyelia is a serious neurosurgical problem that often presents with cutaneous findings in a neurologically asymptomatic patient. Early recognition of these cutaneous manifestations by the plastic surgeon, evaluation with an MRI scan, and consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon can prevent delayed diagnosis of this surgically correctable anomaly and irreversible neurologic sequelae.
Weinzweig
J
J
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Maricopa County Medical Center/Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Phoenix, Ariz., USA.
Holman
P D
PD
Rekate
H L
HL
D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000175:diagnosis*