General Introduction to Congenital Spine Malformations

Spinal dysraphism represents a wide range of congenital anomalies that are mainly derived from a defect in the developmental process of the neural tube during the embryological period. Generally, congenital spinal malformations are not rare and you can see many cases during your career. As a neurosurgeon, being well aware of these malformations is very important to commit to a proper approach with better outcomes. Depending on a specific anatomical or pathophysiological malformation congenital lesion, the symptoms could appear including motor and sensory pathways, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and deformity of bones. Usually, it is necessary to correct these anomalies by surgical intervention to address the defect and limit its development. Furthermore, these deformities can be associated with other anomalies such as hydrocephalus and Chiari II malformation, necessitating proper assessment and treatment. Mainly, congenital spinal malformations are classified into two main categories: spina bifida Aperta and spina bifida occulta. The first category (spina bifida Aperta) includes myelomeningocele, meningocele, or myeloschisis.