The intermediate type split cord malformation: hypothesis and case report.
METHODS
A patient is described in which a complete osteofibrotic dorsally implanted septum was found in combination with a split cord malformation in a single dural tube. This case cannot be explained using the widely used theory as proposed by Pang et al. [Pang D, Dias MS, Ahab-Barmada M (1992) Split cord malformation, part I: A unified theory of embryogenesis for double spinal cord malformations. Neurosurgery 31:451-480] but must be regarded as a combination of type I and II split cord malformation.


RESULTS
The authors state that all types of split cord malformation can be reduced to a single derailment during development, with various degrees of severity.


CONCLUSIONS
The configuration of the malformation is determined by the way the median parts of the mesoderm come to development. Type I and II split cord malformation are not distinct entities.
van Aalst
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Maastricht, P. Debyelaan 25, P. O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands. jaspervanaalst@yahoo.com
Beuls
E A M
EA
Vles
J S H
JS
Cornips
E M J
EM
van Straaten
H W M
HW
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed