Myelocele

Myelocele is a type of neural tube defect. This defect occurs when part of the spinal cord protrudes through a hole in the skin on the baby's back. A similar defect can occur on any part of the spine, but most often it can be found in the lumbar region.

Myelocele is a fairly rare disease that often occurs as a result of disruption of the formation of the neural tube in the fetus during pregnancy. In some cases, myelocele may be a hereditary disease, passed from parent to child.

Symptoms of myelocele can vary depending on how severe the neural tube defect is in the child. Some children may not experience a myelocele at all, while others may have complete paralysis of the legs.

To diagnose myelocele, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography (EMG). These methods make it possible to assess the extent of spinal cord damage and determine the possibility of surgical treatment.

Treatment for myelocele involves surgically removing the protruding part of the spinal cord and closing the neural tube defect. To achieve the maximum possible effect, the operation should be performed as early as possible, ideally in the first days of the child’s life.

In general, myelocele is a serious disease that requires a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. However, thanks to modern diagnostic methods and surgical techniques, most children with myelocele are able to achieve a good outcome after treatment.

What is a myelocele? Myelocele or neuro-cerebral hernia (myelocele) is a defect in the development of the spinal cord and neural structures that appear during fetal development. They are usually accompanied by malformations of the limbs, and also occur in combination with other congenital heart defects.

Statistics and causes Statistics and causes of myelocele have not been fully established. However, this pathology usually appears as a result of exposure to an unfavorable environment in utero, such as maternal viral infections, exposure to toxic substances, drinking alcohol and smoking in mid-pregnancy, etc. The defect occurs as a result of abnormal development of the fetal spinal cord tube during pregnancy. The tube subsequently takes the form of a long or short rope that is pushed through the spinal defects after birth. When a defect is detected in a fetus in early pregnancy, the prognosis for such a child is usually unfavorable. Most often, myelocoel develops due to a genetic abnormality, but it may occur as a result of head trauma during childbirth or surgery. The risk of developing myelocele also increases in the presence of other degenerative diseases, such as Down's disease and Marfan syndrome. Neurologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Oleg Lebedinsky said that according to statistics, there is one case of pathology per thousand newborns. The disease is diagnosed more often in boys than in girls.

In addition, children born to middle-aged parents, especially older ones - after 40 years, are at risk. According to neurosurgeons and neurologists, the course of the congenital myelochain is complicated by Down syndrome or a disease in which the development of human connective tissue is disrupted. In myelocoelia, the connection between the spinal canal (neural canal), the fetal spinal cord and other