A myelomeningocele with spina bifida in the thoracic region is a relatively rare, congenital anomaly. This case, which we have experienced recently, is reported with a review of the literatures.
Meningomyelocele* ; Spinal Dysraphism

The authors report a case of thoracic meningomyelocele. The patient had not have any presenting symptoms until adult age. We confirmed it with radiological(postmyelography CT and MRI) and pathological diagnosis. Pre-, post- and intraoperative SSEP(somatosensory evoked potential) monitoring were performed. Characteristically, the mass contained accessory cord which attached to inner cyst wall with multiple fibrous bands. Meningomyelocele was completely removed without any neurologic sequelae.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele*

No abstract available.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation* ; Meningomyelocele*

No abstract available.
Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele*

The Currarino triad is a unique complex of congenital anomalies including anorectal malformation, scral bonyabnormality, and presacral mass. The usual symptomatology is constipation due to anorectal stenosis. Threepatients with this triad confirmed by surgical operation during recent two yeas in Seoul National Universitychildren's Hospital were presented with a brief review of clinical features, unique radiologic appearance andpostulated pathophysiology. The presacral mass was a mature teratoma in the first patient, alipomyelomeningocele-epidermoid inclusion cyst in the second patient, and myelomeningocele in the third patient. Acorrect diagnosis of the Currarino triad by radiologists is important, and may help the phsicians to investigatedetailed family history and associated anomalies and to establish adequate surgical plans.
Constipation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele ; Seoul ; Teratoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a re-closure capacity and chronological changes of re-closure, the histologic findings are observed after skin graft on surgically induced spinal open neural tube defect(ONTD) in chick embryos. METHODS: Embryos were divided into two groups: graft and control. In the embryos of the graft, a skin fragment from another chick embryo of embryonic day 7 was grafted on the ONTD immediately after neural tube incision. Embryos were re-incubated in ovo, up to postoperative days(PODs) 3, 5, 7, 10 and sacrificed. Rate of re-closure was compared according to the group of the embryo and the observation time point. Serial changes in histological appearance were observed to investigate whether the re-closured ONTDs regain normal shape. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS and x2 test. RESULTS: On PODs 3, 5, 7, and 10, re-closure rates of the graft were 87, 60, 53 and 88%, and those of the control were 13, 0, 0 and 20%, respectively. They showed more frequent re-closure of ONTDs by the skin allograft in the graft than control. There was no statistical difference between the closure rates of adjacent POD subgroups. Some embryos of the closed groups revealed complete closure of the neural tube and there was no difference from the normal neural tube. CONCLUSION: Skin graft on the surgically induced ONTD in the embryonic period has a protective effect on the spinal cord. It is suggested that the prenatal skin graft on the lesions of fetal myelomeningocele might prevent repeated spinal cord damage.
Allografts ; Animals ; Chick Embryo* ; Embryonic Structures ; Meningomyelocele ; Neural Tube Defects* ; Neural Tube* ; Skin* ; Spinal Cord ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: As problem have developed with the right colonic antegrade enema procedure (Malone's procedure/Monti's retubularized ileocolostomy), left colonic antegrade continence enema (LACE) procedure, in which retubularized ileum or sigmoid colon is anastomosed into the sigmoid colon, has gained popularity. The aim of the study was to describe our experience with the LACE procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 19 LACE procedures that were performed at the Yonsei University Colllege of Medicine Hospital (Seoul, Korea) from March 2001 to March 2005. RESULTS: Male-to-female ratio was 11 : 8, with median age of 10 years (range, 3~34 years). Most common diagnosis was meningomyelocele (78.9%, 15/19). The median total follow-up period was 23 months (range, 3~37 months); median antegrade continence enema volume used was 600 ml (range, 250~1,500 ml); and median transit time was 30 minutes (range, 15~60 minutes). Patients performed antegrade continence enema with an average of once every 2 days (range, 0.3~3 days). Social continence was achieved in 14 patients (73.7%). Regurgitation of fecal material through stoma was not reported at all in 17 patients (89.5%). CONCLUSION: We recommend LACE as the procedure of choice for patients with congenital malformation or any other condition predisposing to fecal incontinence or constipation intractable to conventional treatment.
Colon* ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Enema* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ileum ; Meningomyelocele ; Retrospective Studies

Conjoined twins are uncommon complications of monoamniotic twinning. Among them, cephalopagus twins are very rare. The accurate prenatal diagnosis of conjoining is essential for the optimal obstetric counseling and management. We describe a case where prenatal sonographic diagnosis of cephalopagus associated with multiple anomalies including meningomyelocele, diaphragmatic hernia, omphalocele, and club feet was made at 18 weeks of gestation.
Counseling ; Diagnosis* ; Foot ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Umbilical ; Humans ; Meningomyelocele ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Twins, Conjoined ; Ultrasonography*

The Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM) is an anomaly of the hindbrain consisting of two components: a variable displacement of a tongue of tissue derived from the inferior cerebellar vermis in the upper cervical canal and a similar caudal dislocation of the medulla and fourth ventricle. Hydrocephalus and meningomyelocele are another abnormalities that associated frequently. We present a case of Arnold-Chiari malformation with hydrocephalus and meningomyeolcele and a brief review of the literatures was added.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation* ; Cerebellar Vermis ; Dislocations ; Fourth Ventricle ; Hydrocephalus ; Meningomyelocele ; Rhombencephalon ; Tongue

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of surgery time on prognosis of newborns with meningomyelocele. METHODS: The records of neonates with meningomyelocele were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical characteristics as well as information, timing of surgery, and durations of hospital stay and antibiotic therapy were recorded. RESULTS: The records of 30 babies were included in the final analysis. Overall, the mean gestational age was 37.7+/-2.7 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 2967+/-755 g and head circumference of 35.8+/-3.8 cm. In terms of localization, 46.6% of the meningomyeloceles were lumbosacral, 40% were lumbar, 10% were thoracolumbar and 3.3% were thoracal. The mean size of the meningomyelocele sacs was 4.33+/-1.2 cm. Newborns underwent surgery on average of 8.2+/-5.9 days after birth, with an overall mean duration of hospital stay of 30+/-25.1 days. Patients were divided into two groups based on timing of surgery (group 1, < or =5 days; group 2, >5 days), and comparisons between groups revealed that earlier surgery was associated with significantly shorter durations of hospital stay (p<0.001) and antibiotic therapy (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Early surgical intervention (< or =5 days) was associated with a shorter duration of hospital stay and antibiotic therapy as well as a lower complication rate. We recommend that corrective surgery be undertaken as soon as reasonably possible.
Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Head ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Length of Stay ; Meningomyelocele ; Parturition ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies