Spinal Column, Myelomeningocele [LMP12509]

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Image Details
Diagnostic Modality: 
Whole Slide Image
Disease Category: 
Diseases of Infancy and Childhood
Diagnosis: 
Myelomeningocele
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Central Nervous System
Gender: 
Male
Age: 
21wk fetus
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: Q05
Slide Contributor Information
Gao, A., Keith, J.

Keywords

Spinal dysraphism, neural tube defect, meningocele, spina bifida, Chiari malformation

Clinical History

Termination of pregnancy at 21 weeks’ gestation due to multiple congenital abnormalities on routine screening. A section from the lumbar spinal column is shown.

Clinical Discussion

Myelomeningocele is a defect of neural tube closure in which meningeal and spinal cord tissue herniate through a vertebral defect. Most commonly, they occur in the lumbosacral area and are usually associated with Chiari II malformations. Myelomeningocele appears as (1) a cystic mass covered by a delicate membrane or skin with the spinal cord floating inside (this case), or (2) a flat open lesion with a mass of vascular connective tissue and disorganized neural tissue that become epithelialized after birth; in these cases, the spinal cord is open posteriorly and the central canal opens directly onto the skin.