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Review
. 2023 Sep;39(9):2391-2397.
doi: 10.1007/s00381-023-06042-8. Epub 2023 Jul 24.

Dorsal bony spur in pediatric split cord malformations: eight-year experience from a tertiary care hospital

Niveditha Manjunath #  1 , Amol Raheja #  1 , Sachin A Borkar  2 , Ashok K Mahapatra  3 , Deepak Gupta  1 , Guru Dutta Satyarthee  1 , Shashank S Kale  1
Affiliations
Review

Dorsal bony spur in pediatric split cord malformations: eight-year experience from a tertiary care hospital

Niveditha Manjunath et al. Childs Nerv Syst. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Dorsal spurs in Type I split cord malformations (SCM-I) are infrequent findings. The pathogenesis of the same is debatable. The objective of this study is to analyze our experience with SCM-I patients having dorsal bony spurs.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of SCM patients operated from 2010 to 2017 was performed. Their demographic profile, clinic-radiological features, operative findings, and outcome following surgery were recorded.

Results: Twenty-four cases of Type I SCM harboring dorsal bony spurs were identified with mean age of 4.96 years. The commonest split site was lumbar, documented in 62.5%. Scoliosis was observed in 58.3%. Pre-operative neurological deficits were seen in 66.6% cases with asymmetric weakness of limbs seen in 16.6%. There was no new neurological deficit observed post-operatively.

Conclusions: This is the largest series of dorsal spurs occurring in SCM, reported in literature so far. Meticulous pre-operative evaluation and imaging are important to identify dorsal spurs for appropriate management and good clinical outcome. Differentiating dorsal spur from ventral spur is important as it has a bearing on surgical approach.

Keywords: Dorsal spur; SCM; Split cord malformations; Type I SCM.

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