title: Sonographic diagnosis of diastematomyelia in utero: a case report and literature review.
abstract: Fetal diastematomyelia is a rare form of spinal dysraphism that is characterized by a complete or incomplete division of the spinal cord by an osseous or fibrocartilaginous septum. A case of diastematomyelia, which was detected on the routine third trimester detailed ultrasound scan, is presented. The diagnosis was based on the detection of an echogenic focus in the posterior aspect of the spine in association with widening of the interpedicular vertebral space. The case illustrates that diastematomyelia can occur in the absence of overt spina bifida and that prenatal detection will allow timely postnatal investigation and treatment. Prenatal literature is further reviewed to assess the clinical significance of this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dabra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kochhar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal