About Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina Bifida is a congenital abnormality described as a neural tube defect resulting in the bones of the spine not joining properly, exposing the spinal cord leaving it liable to damage and infection.
Surgery shortly after birth lessens the risk of infection but inevitably some disability results. Recent developments now mean that there is the option of surgery even before birth. Some people are more severely affected and are confined to wheelchairs while others who are less severely disabled can walk, though sometimes with the aid of callipers and crutches.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus literally means “water on the brain”. Excess cerebral fluid is unable to drain away so accumulates and if untreated can cause brain damage. Since the early 1960s it has been possible to insert a valve (a shunt) to drain the fluid and prevent the build-up of pressure.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus can occur independently but often occur together.
Hydrocephalus can also occur because of a head injury, haemorrhage or infection.
1. Normal spine
2. Spina bifida occulta – the most common and mildest type of spina bifida; 1 or more vertebrae (bones of the spine) does not form properly, but the gap in the spine is very small; spina bifida occulta does not usually cause any problems and most people are unaware they have it.
3. Meningocele – a serious type of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the spinal cord (meninges) push out through the spine; the spinal cord usually develops normally so surgery can often be used to remove the membranes without damaging the nerves.
4. Myelomeningocele – the most severe type of spina bifida; the baby's spinal canal remains open along several vertebrae in the back, allowing the spinal cord and protective membranes around it to push out and form a sac in the baby's back.
What is a lipomyelomeningocele?
A lipomyelomeningocele is a birth defect that affects a child's backbone (spine).
Pronounced lipo-my-elo-men-IN-go-seal
A lipomyelomeningocele is a fatty mass under the skin on the child's back. It is usually in the middle of the back. The mass attaches to the spinal cord and may slowly pull on the spina cord known as tethered cord. This type of spina bifida will usually come with problems of the bowel and bladder.