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. 2018 Nov;61(6):731-736.
doi: 10.3340/jkns.2016.1212.001. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Conus Medullaris Levels on Ultrasonography in Term Newborns : Normal Levels and Dermatological Findings

Kiyasettin Asil  1 , Mahizer Yaldiz  2
Affiliations

Conus Medullaris Levels on Ultrasonography in Term Newborns : Normal Levels and Dermatological Findings

Kiyasettin Asil et al. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2018 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: Ultrasonography (US) is the most non-invasive, safe, and, especially in the period of infancy, best method for visualizing and examining the spinal cord. Furthermore, US is the primary work-up for development of the spinal canal, and for follow-up on issues relating to subcutaneous tissues, bone development, and the spinal cord. Conus medullaris terminates at the second lumbar vertebra, according to a consensus in the literature.

Methods: Healthy children under the age of 6 months who were admitted to the radiology clinic for routine USG follow-ups between the dates of March 2012 to December 2014 were included in this study.

Results: Our study includes data from 1125 lumbosacral ultrasounds. The terminal point of the conus level of the attended infants, superior, middle part, inferior of the vertebrae L1, L2, and L3. Furthermore, the termination of the discal distance ratio did not differ significantly between genders.

Conclusion: Therefore, according to our results, gender is not an influencing factor in the termination of the spinal cord. Based on the study we performed, as well as the previous literature, in infants without a recognized spinal pathology, the spinal cord is detected below the vertebra L3.

Keywords: Conus medullaris; Term birth; Ultrasonography.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
A : Sonographical images of spinal cord in axial planes in a term infant. White arrows pointed to conus medullaris. B : Sonographical images of spinal cord in Sagittal planes in a term infant.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Distribution of regions where conus levels were determined, by months. s : superior, i : inferior.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Distribution of regions where conus levels were determined, by genders. s : superior, i : inferior.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
A : Dermatological samples from involved cases. Hair development in lumbar region. B : Dermatological samples from involved cases. Pilonidal sinus. C : Dermatological samples from involved cases. Sacral dimple. D : Dermatological samples from involved cases. Mongolian spot.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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