CERVICAL MENINGOCELES AND MYELOCYSTOCELES - A UNIFYING HYPOTHESIS

The classification and embryogenesis of cystic cervical dysraphic lesi ons are discussed in the light of the authors' experience and review o f the literature. It is felt that these lesions are best described as meningoceles or myelocystoceles, and the use of the term 'myelomeningo cele' may be more confusing than clarifying. The authors hypothesize t hat the cervical meningocele and the myelocystocele are part of a spec trum of the same underlying developmental abnormality, namely limited dorsal myeloschisis, with the eventual abnormality depending on the pr esence or absence of associated hydromyelia.