Spina Bifida Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Spina Bifida, including details on causes, prevention, spinal cord, treatment.

Intradural spinal endoscopy in children.

Chern JJ, Gordon AS, Naftel RP, Tubbs RS, Oakes WJ, Wellons JC

Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA.

Intracranial endoscopy in the treatment of hydrocephalus, arachnoid cysts, or brain tumors has gained wide acceptance, but the use of endoscopy for intradural navigation in the pediatric spine has received much less attention. The aim of the authors' present study was to analyze their experience in using spinal endoscopy to treat various pathologies of the spinal canal. The authors performed a retrospective review of intradural spinal endoscopic cases at their institution. They describe 4 representative cases, including an arachnoid cyst, intrinsic spinal cord tumor, holocord syrinx, and split cord malformation. Intradural spinal endoscopy was useful in treating the aforementioned lesions. It resulted in a more limited laminectomy and myelotomy, and it assisted in identifying a residual spinal cord tumor. It was also useful in the fenestration of a multilevel arachnoid cyst and in confirming communication of fluid spaces in the setting of a complex holocord syrinx. Endoscopy aided in the visualization of the spinal cord to ensure the absence of tethering in the case of a long-length Type II split spinal cord malformation. Conclusions Based on their experience, the authors found intradural endoscopy to be a useful surgical adjunct and one that helped to decrease morbidity through reduced laminectomy and myelotomy. With advances in technology, the authors believe that intradural endoscopy will begin to be used by more neurosurgeons for treating diseases of this anatomical region.

Published 4 July 2011 in J Neurosurg Pediatr, 8(1): 107-11.
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Articles on Spina Bifida published 1 June 2011:

Dermoid sinus and spina bifida in three dogs and a cat.   J Small Anim Pract, 52(6): 319-24.

This case series describes four cases of concomitant dermoid sinus and spina bifida in a Chinese crested dog, two Swedish vallhunds and a Burmese cat. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography, computed tomography fistulography and pathology. Two dogs that showed abnormalities during neurological examination underwent magnetic resonance imaging. One of them had imaging findings interpreted as syringohydromyelia. All the dogs underwent surgery and the outcome was considered good in all ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Spina Bifida published 19 May 2011:

Subsequent births in families of children with disabilities: using demographic data to examine parents' reproductive patterns.   Am J Intellect Dev Disabil, 116(3): 233-45.

The authors determined family reproductive patterns after the birth of a child with (vs. without) a disability. Using Tennessee birth records, the authors examined families of children with Down syndrome (N  =  1,123), spina bifida (N  =  368), and population group (N  =  734,189). Families of children with Down syndrome and with spina bifida were more likely to have subsequent children and larger family sizes than the population group. When a 1st-born target child was born, 28.8% ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Spina Bifida published 10 May 2011:

Management of the urinary tract in spina bifida cases varies with lesion level and shunt presence.   J Urol, 185(6): 2547-51.

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Articles on Spina Bifida published 9 May 2011:

Relationship of therapy to postsecondary education and employment in young adults with physical disabilities.   Pediatr Phys Ther, 23(2): 179-86.

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Articles on Spina Bifida published 18 April 2011:

Cognitive functions correlate with diffusion tensor imaging metrics in patients with spina bifida cystica.   Childs Nerv Syst, 27(5): 723-8.

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Articles on Spina Bifida published 1 April 2011:

Biographical sketch: Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen, MD (1833-1910).   Clin Orthop Relat Res, 469(5): 1225-6.

This biographical sketch on Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: Studies on Spina bifida (1886), available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-010-1729-2 . [Abstract] [Full-text]

Correlation of spine deformity, lung function, and seat pressure in spina bifida.   Clin Orthop Relat Res, 469(5): 1302-7.

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What variables influence the ability of an AFO to improve function and when are they indicated?   Clin Orthop Relat Res, 469(5): 1308-14.

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