Prenatal Diagnosis of Diastematomyelia in a 15-Week-Old Fetus

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A case of prenatal diagnosis of diastematomyelia is presented. METHODS: A case of fetal diastematomyelia, diagnosed by prenatal sonography, demonstrated the typical sonographic features of this condition. In this case it was detected at 15 weeks of gestation, and presented with a midline echogenic focus in the posterior region of the thoracolumbar spine. RESULTS: The pregnancy was terminated by induction of labor. The fetus was female and there was a 1-cm long endurated hyperemic lesion at the back of the fetus. We confirmed the diagnosis of diastematomyelia after termination of pregnancy by plain chest and abdominal X-ray and also MRI scanning. CONCLUSION: Isolated diastematomyelia is a rare form of spinal dysraphism characterized by a sagittal cleft in the spinal cord, conus medullaris and/or filum terminale with splaying of the posterior vertebral elements. Prenatal diagnosis of this anomaly is possible in the early mid-trimester by sonography, thus allowing for early surgical intervention and a favorable prognosis.