Spina Bifida

Excerpt

Spina bifida is a congenital anomaly resulting from incomplete neural tube development (see Image. Infant With Spina Bifida). The term "spina bifida" is nonspecific and refers to any degree of neural tube closure defect. This condition can be divided into 2 categories—spina bifida occulta and spina bifida aperta. Spina bifida occulta, also known as closed spinal dysraphism, is the mildest form of neural tube defect (NTD), characterized by a concealed vertebral defect with minimal neural involvement.

Spina bifida aperta, also known as open spinal dysraphism, refers to a defect in which neural tissue is exposed and communicates with the external environment, such as in meningocele, myelomeningocele, and myeloschisis (see Image. Types of Spina Bifida). These conditions result in a wide range of neurological impairments. Spina bifida is often associated with several other developmental abnormalities, highlighting the importance of an interprofessional medical approach to optimize patient survival and outcomes.

Atypical variants of spinal bifida include segmental spinal dysgenesis, lipomyelomeningocele, human tail, membranous meningocele, and myeloschisis. These variants are associated with autonomic dysfunction, kyphotic deformity, and lower limb anomalies.