SPLIT CORD MALFORMATIONS - REPORT OF 3 UNUSUAL CASES

The unified theory, proposed by Pang et al., explains the embryogeneti c mechanisms of all variants of split cord malformations (SCMs), All S CMs originate from one basic error occurring around the time when the primitive neurenteric canal closes. The basic error is the formation o f an accessory neurenteric canal between the yolk sac and amnion which is subsequently invested with mesenchyme to form an endomesenchymal t ract that splits the notochord and neural plate. Three cases of SCMs w hich support this unified theory are presented. A 3-month-old girl had a combination of both types of SCMs at the level of T11, The 2nd case , a 2-week-old girl, had type-II SCM associated with a thickened filum terminale, lipomyelomeningocele and ectopic renal tissue within lipom a, A lipomatous tract extending from a subcutaneous lipoma to the intr adural fibrous septum contained lymphoid tissues and tubular epithelia in a 3-month-old boy with a type-II SCM. These 3 cases support the un ified theory.