Myelomeningocele

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 Myelomeningocele is a type of spina bifida which happens when a baby’s backbone (spine) does not form normally during pregnancy. The baby is usually born with a gap in the bones of the spine.

A Myelomeningocele is a sac that mainly contains:

  • Part of the spinal cord

  • Its covering, referred to as the meninges

  • Spinal fluid 

It pushes through the gap in the spine and the skin. It can be seen on the baby’s back.

Other kinds of spina bifida include:

  1. Spina bifida occulta: This is referred to as a gap in the bones in the spine but the spinal cord and meninges do not push through it. They are in their normal place inside the spinal canal and there is no opening on the baby’s back.

  2. Meningocele: This is referred to as when a sac that contains spinal fluid pushes through the gap in the spine. The spinal cord is in its normal place in the spinal canal. The skin over the meningocele often is open.


Sometimes babies with a myelomeningocele are born with other medical problems such as clubfoot, curvature of the spine, hip problems, heart problems or kidney problems.


The signs and symptoms of this condition are:

  1. Weakness, loss of feeling or trouble moving body parts below the level of the myelomeningocele

  2. Problems with bladder and bowel control

  3. Too much spinal fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)

  4. Problems with how the brain is formed (Chiari malformations)

  5. Learning problems

  6. Seizures






Diagnosis:

A blood test known as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), during pregnancy, can tell if a woman has a higher risk of having a baby with a myelomeningocele. A prenatal ultrasound foetal MRI can show whether a baby has one.

A myelomeningocele that’s not diagnosed during pregnancy is seen during childbirth.


A senior neurosurgeon of international repute with excellent management skills and one of the Best Neurosurgeons in Kolkata, Dr. Kaushik Sil has over 16 years of experience in treating complex Brain and Spine problems like brain tumours, spinal disc prolapse, brain stroke, subdural hematoma, spinal deformity with a special interest in childhood neurosurgical problems like hydrocephalus and spinal birth defects. His simple guidance and high success in treatment rates is immaculate.

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