Does fetal endoscopic closure of the myelomeningocele prevent loss of neurologic function in spina bifida aperta?

Abstract

Background Spina bifida aperta (SBA) is associated with shuntdependent hydrocephalus and with meningomyelocele (MMC). Fetal endoscopic closure of the MMC may reduce shunt-dependency, but the benefit upon motor function in individual patients is still unclear. An increase in differentiated muscle ultrasound density (dMUD) provides an objective parameter for the extent of muscle damage caudal to the MMC. In this perspective, we aimed to compare dMUD and neurological function between SBA children treated by fetal endoscopic closure (fSBA) and by neonatal closure (nSBA) of the MMC.