Malformations of the spinal cord

Abstract

Spine and spinal cord malformations are often collectively summarized under the term of spinal dysraphisms [39]. This term was first employed by Lichtenstein (1940) [36]. Open spinal dysraphism is a common congenital midline defect of the nervous system and has been historically reported in 2-4/1 000 live births [14]. However, the true incidence of spinal dysraphism is not well studied. Myelomeningocele accounts for the vast majority of open spinal dysraphisms (98.8%) [32, 39]. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.