Diastematomyelia and Scoliosis

Abstract

In twenty patients with diastematomyelia, fourteen had associated scoliosis, the curvatures being dependent on bone anomalies of the vertebrae accompanying the diastematomyelia and not on neurological deficits. Because of the danger of cord damage, the tethering bone spike or fibrous cord should be removed before surgery for the scoliosis. Prior to surgery, any patient with scoliosis and with congenital anomalies of the spine should have myelography.