title: Neurological classification in myelomeningocele as a spine deformity predictor.
abstract: In myelomeningocele, spinal deformities are responsible for major disability. Our aim was to check the predictive power for future spine deformity of a neurological classification applied at 5 years of age. We classified patients into four groups according to their neurological examination made at the age of 5 years. Groups were defined as follows: group I, L5 or below (meaning that all the patients in this group have a paralysis that at least leaves the L5 segment intact); group II, L3-L4; group III, L1-L2; group IV, T12 and above (meaning that all the patients in this group have a paralysis that reaches T11 or above). One hundred and sixty-three patients were included. The results showed that group I is a predictor for the absence of spinal deformity. Group III or IV is a predictor for spinal deformity. Group IV is a predictor of kyphosis. It was previously known that the higher the neurological level, the higher the rate of spinal deformity at maturity, but no work had given physicians a guideline to assess the spinal prognosis in myelomeningocele patients. Our work showed, on the basis of this classification made at the age of 5 years, that future spinal disorders may be expected in some patients, while no spinal deformity may be expected in some others. Thus, an appropriate therapeutic strategy and follow-up can be planned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Timone Children's Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Glard
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Launay
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viehweger
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jouve
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bollini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging