Single tubular type of diastematomyelia:a retrospective study of 23 cases / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyse the diagnosis and treatment of the single tubular type of diastematomyelia. Methods Clinical scoring and posterior tibial nerve cortical somatosensory evoked potential (PTNCSEP) were performed in 23 cases to define surgical indications and investigate the results of treatment. Results Seven cases without clinical symptoms and 11 cases without progressive neural deficit showed no significant change in terms of clinical scoring and PTNCSEP P40 latent period; while other 5 cases with progressive neural deficit improved after the surgical intervention, and operative findings confirmed that there were fibrous septum or band and other malformations. Conclusion Patients with progressive neural deficit need surgical intervention while those without progressive neural deficit and clinical symptoms only need conservative treatment and routine follow-up.