Is spina bifida and myelomeningocele the same?

Is spina bifida and myelomeningocele the same?

Types of Spina Bifida When people talk about spina bifida, most often they are referring to myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged.

How is myelomeningocele related to hydrocephalus?

This causes the brain to be positioned further down into the upper spinal column than normal, which is called an Arnold Chiari II malformation. When this happens, the normal flow of fluid out of the brain is obstructed, causing Hydrocephalus, an excess of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain.

What are the symptoms of myelomeningocele?

Symptoms of Myelomeningocele

• Problems moving parts of the body below the opening in the back.
• Lack of sensation in their legs and feet.
• Poor or no bowel and bladder control.
• Twisted or abnormal legs and feet; for example, clubfoot.
• Too much cerebrospinal fluid in the head (hydrocephalus)

How is Meningomyelocele diagnosed?

It is diagnosed with prenatal blood work, amniocentesis, physical exam, and ultrasound. An MRI is sometimes needed to get more information and guide care. How is it treated? Most cases of myelomeningocele are treated surgically with a repair soon after birth.

Can spina bifida be corrected?

Currently, there is no cure for spina bifida, but there are a number of treatments available to help manage the disease and prevent complications. In some cases, if diagnosed before birth, the baby can undergo surgery while still in the womb in an effort to repair or minimize the spinal defect.

How do I fix myelomeningocele?

During surgery, the doctor makes an incision across the mother’s abdomen and opens the uterus. The neurosurgeon removes the myelomeningocele sac, if one is present, and repairs the spinal defect in layers before closing the skin to protect the spinal cord from exposure to amniotic fluid.

What is the main cause of hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain.

Can a baby survive with myelomeningocele?

About 1,500 to 2,000 babies of the 4 million born in the U.S. every year have spina bifida. Thanks to advances in medicine, 90% of babies who have this defect live to be adults, and most go on to lead full lives.

Is Meningomyelocele curable?

In some cases, especially in spina bifida occulta, there may not be any treatment needed. However, myelomeningocele and meningocele require surgery to put the exposed sack and nerves back in place. Some of it may also require removal.

Is spina bifida a disability?

If your family has limited income and resources, your child with spina bifida will likely qualify for SSI disability benefits. Spina bifida is a disease that affects children and can be very disabling. If your child has spina bifida, he or she may qualify for SSI disability benefits by applying through Social Security.

Can a child with spina bifida walk?

Mobility and Physical Activity People affected by spina bifida get around in different ways. These include walking without any aids or assistance; walking with braces, crutches or walkers; and using wheelchairs. People with spina bifida higher on the spine (near the head) might have paralyzed legs and use wheelchairs.

When should a myelomeningocele be repaired?

Myelomeningocele repair, also known as fetal spina bifida repair, is a surgery to close the spinal defect during pregnancy. It is typically performed between 19 and 26 weeks gestation.

Can a Myelomeningocele form anywhere on the spine?

A myelomeningocele can form anywhere along the spine. The higher on the spine that one forms, the more severe the disabilities associated with it will be. Inability to feel the legs and/or feet (no sensation or “numbness”)

How many babies are affected by myelomeningocele syndrome?

Myelomeningocele is a neural tube defect in which the bones of the spine do not completely form. This results in an incomplete spinal canal. The spinal cord and meninges protrude from the child’s back. This condition may affect as many as 1 out of every 4,000 infants.

How long does it take to close a myelomeningocele?

They refer about 20 babies with a myelomeningocele to Seattle Children’s each year. Usually, the babies are transferred from the hospital where they are born to Seattle Children’s shortly after their birth. Our neurosurgeons close the defect, usually within 24 to 48 hours of birth.

What is the difference between spina bifida and myelomeningocele?

Spina Bifida and Myelomeningocele Spina bifida (Latin for “split spine”) is a type of neural tube defect, which is a problem with the spinal cord or the structures that cover it.