Spina bifida classification

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamadmostafa Jahansouz M.D.[2]

Overview

Spina bifida may be classified according to the level of the lesion into 3 subtypes: Thoracic, lumbarand sacral. It also may be classified according to the tyoe of the vertebrate defect into 2 subtypes: Spina bifida occulta and spina ifida aperta. Meningocele is a protrusion of the meninges, unaccompanied by neural tissue, through a bony defect in the vertebral column. Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. It happens when both the meninges and the bottom end of the spinal cord push through the hole in the spine, forming a large fluid-filled sac that bulges out of a patients back.

Classification

• Spina bifida may be classified according to the level of the lesion into 3 subtypes:

1. Thoracic
   • Lack of quadriceps function
2. lumbar
   • Lack gluteus medius and maximus function
   • Retain quadriceps and medial hamstring function
3. Sacral
   • Lack gastrocnemius-soleus function in high sacral lesions
   • Retain gastrocnemius-soleus function in low sacral lesions

• Spina bifida also may be classified according to the tyoe of the vertebrate defect into 2 subtypes:
  1. Spina bifida occulta: In this type of spina bifida, the defect of vertebrate is covered by skin ("Occulta" means "hidden"). The spinal cord does not stick out through the skin, although the skin over the lower spine may have a patch of hair, a birthmark, or a dimple above the groove between the buttocks.
  2. Spina ifida aperta: In this type of spina bifida , the defect is widely open and is sub classified into 2 types: Meningocele and Myelomeningocele.

• Meningocele is a protrusion of the meninges, unaccompanied by neural tissue, through a bony defect in the vertebral column.
• Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. It happens when both the meninges and the bottom end of the spinal cord push through the hole in the spine, forming a large fluid-filled sac that bulges out of a patients back.