Undiagnosed adult diastematomyelia associated with neurological symptoms following spinal anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia is a safe, routinely performed procedure. However, in pa tients with lumbar cutaneous abnormities or deformities of the lower extrem ities, a previously undetected spinal anomaly may be present. In such patie nts, it may be prudent to avoid central neuraxial block to prevent neural d amage. This instructive case presents such an adult patient in whom previou sly undiagnosed diastematomyelia, low conus and tethered cord was discovere d only in the assessment of postspinal neurological symptoms.