Diastematomyelia: diagnosis by prenatal sonography.

Abstract

A diagnosis of diastematomyelia can be made if an extra posterior echogenic focus is seen on prenatal sonography. Splaying of the posterior elements of the fetal spine is frequently present. The pregnancy should be managed differently depending on whether the diastematomyelia is isolated, with the skin intact, or is in association with more serious neural tube defects. This distinction is possible prenatally.