Micromyelia [Micromyelia; Micro + Greek Myelos (Spinal) Moz]

Micromyelia is a rare disease that is characterized by abnormal development of the spinal cord and leads to the development of various neurological disorders. As defined by the International Association of Neurosurgery, micromyelia is a condition where the spinal cord does not reach the size normally seen in an adult. This causes the spinal cord and the nerves within it to become compressed, which can lead to various functional limitations and disorders.

Micromyelia is rare in medical practice, however, according to some studies, it can occur in diseases of the spinal cord, such as neuroblastoma, spinocerebellar ataxia and syringomyelia. Genetic factors that may contribute to the development of micromyilia can also be identified.

Symptoms of micromyelia depend on the specific pathology, but may include decreased sensation and motor impairment, most often in the lower extremities. In addition, motor coordination and movement disorders are possible. Micromylia can appear as early as infancy, when early physical and motor impairments occur and the child may be noticed to have small limbs or abnormal body postures. If the disease develops later, the symptoms may appear more widely and gradually progress.

Micromyelia is an anomaly in the structure of the spinal cord, expressed in its underdevelopment or disruption of the structure of the dorsal and cervical spine, in which its diameter is less than 12 mm. The disease occurs due to a primary deficiency of protein material, i.e. due to insufficient myelin synthesis, as well as ectopia of nervous tissue - a chaotic arrangement of spinal segments of gray matter in the trunk and expanded sprouts of white matter.