Diastomatomyelia

Definition

 

Fibrous / cartilage / bony bar creating a longitudinal cleft in the cord

 

Site

 

Mainly in lumbar spine / can occur in thoracic

 

Symptoms

 

Can lead to cord tethering with associated neurological defects

 

Signs

 

Hyperreflexia / clonus / asymmetric abdominal reflexes

 

Xray

 

Inter-pedicular widening / bony bar / spina bifida occulta

 

MRI

 

May see 2 hemicords

- each within a single dural sac

- each within their own dural sac

 

Conus Medullaris often extends below L2

 

Management

 

Asymptomatic

 

Observe

 

Neurology

 

Should be resected