title: [Occult spinal dysraphism].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal dysraphism is a group of congenital anomalies of the spine characterized by a midline defect affecting the nervous tissue and its bony and soft tissue coverings. Closed spinal dysraphism, spina bifida occulta, refers to skin-covered lesions. However, there are a number of cutaneous stigmata or other physical signs that serve as indicators of an underlying dysraphic malformation of the lower spinal canal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based upon relevant literature, we present a review of occult spina bifida.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cutaneous stigmata that may indicate an underlying dysraphism are particularly hairy patches, subcutaneous lipomas, capillary hemangiomas, dorsal dermal sinuses and sacral cutaneous pits. The clinical examination of a child with lumbosacral cutaneous stigmata should focus on neurological signs and symptoms, urological disturbances and orthopaedic deformities in the lower limbs. Spinal MRI is the imaging modality of choice in children presenting with features consistent with occult spinal dysraphism. Children with occult spinal dysraphism should be referred to a neurosurgical unit.
authors.affiliation: Nevrokirurgisk avdeling Rikshospitalet 0027 Oslo. torstein.meling@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Torstein R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Meling
authors.forename: Bernt J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Due-Tønnessen
authors.forename: Tryggve
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundar
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Helseth
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed