Musculoskeletal Imaging

Spina bifida

a developmental anomaly of the spine in which severe dysraphism is present due to defective closure of the bony canal through which the spinal cord and meninges protrude. Spina bifida occulta is a variant in which protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges is not present. Various abnormalities may accompany or be caused by spina bifida.

Stress fracture of the neural arch of the vertebra, or spondylolysis, frequently occurs in conjunction with spina bifida. There may be a genetic influence in some cases.

An increased frequency of spina bifida is seen in patients with myositis ossificans progressiva, Klippel Feil syndrome and defects of the pars interarticularis.

Coxa vara deformity has been reported in children with spina bifida and may be accompanied by spontaneous separation of the metaphysis and epiphysis of the femur.

DR