title: Occult spinal dysraphism in the infant.
abstract: The progressive neurologic dysfunction caused by occult spinal dysraphism can be prevented with early clinical recognition, radiographic diagnosis, and neurosurgical treatment. However, detection of occult spinal dysraphism in the infant is difficult because neurologic symptoms often are not apparent until the child becomes ambulatory. Occult spinal dysraphism, however, can be suspected in the asymptomatic neonate when cutaneous stigmata, such as hemangiomas, hairy patches, deep and/or eccentric dimples, or subcutaneous masses are seen over the lumbosacral spine. Because of the serious, often irreversible, sequelae of a delayed diagnosis, spinal sonography of high-risk infants with midline, lumbosacral, cutaneous stigmata should be considered as an effective, noninvasive screening method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0084, USA.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Kriss
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kriss
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Warf
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011859:Radiography; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography