PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF DIASTEMATOMYELIA - CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Diastematomyelia is a rare malformation characterized by complete or i ncomplete division of the spinal cord by osseous or fibrocartilaginous septum. Most cases are seen in association with other anomalies of th e vertebral column such as spina bifida, kyphoscoliosis, butterfly ver tebra, and hemivertebra. In this report we describe two cases of isola ted diastematomyelia detected at routine second-trimester detailed ult rasound scan, the most striking feature being the detection of an echo genic focus in the posterior aspect of the spine in association with w idening of the interpedicular vertebral space. The prenatal literature is reviewed to assess the clinical significance of this finding. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.