spontaneous regression of a terminal myelocystocele and associated syearsingomyelia: a case report

Case Details

Disease Location

Spine/spinal cord/low-lying terminal cord

Personal Characteristics

4 -year-old female born in eritrea via c-section and was born with a lumbrosacral cystic mass

Clinical Characteristics

Terminal myelocystocele - rare form of spinal dysraphism with cystic dilatation of the central canal of the low-lying terminal cord lumbrosacral mass was shown by ultrasound child developed normally, at age 4--assessment found a skin-covered swelling in left buttock region. No neurological deficits MRI performed at initial referring hospital found spinal dysraphism with appearance of low-lying lipoma, tethered syearsingmyelic cord and a terminal myelocystocele and lipoma. A flow void was visible within the myelocystocele on t2 suggest flow between the cystocele and central canal bladder volume estimates suggested incomplete bladder empatientying and urodynamics confirmed small capacity and high-pressure bladder. Renal ultrasound showed normal kidneys; and 99mtc dimercapatientosuccinic acid scan showed good function with no renal scarring 5 months later, the low-lying conus contained a 2-cm syearsinx and was thethered to the lipoma, at the craniocervical junction, a type i chiari malformation was present

Remission Characteristics

Sr of myelocystocele and syearsinx were both observed via MRI 5 months later, patient was ambulant with no limb deficit. Buttock mass was less prominent and MRI showed regression of the cystocele. Again, 3 months later, the buttock mass was visible but still less prominent, MRI showed the myelocystocele had regression along with a reduction of size of the associated syearsinx

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

None reported

Clinical Treatment

Oxybutynin and clean intermittent catheterisation for bladder management

Non-Clinical Treatment

None reported