MYELOMENINGOCELE

Course overview

NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS ARE A SPECTRUM OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES THAT INCLUDES CRANIAL DEFECTS AND OPEN OR CLOSED SPINAL DYSRAPHISM. OPEN SPINAL DYSRAPHISM OR SPINA BIFIDA APERTA ARE VISIBLE LESIONS AND INCLUDE SEVERAL MALFORMATIONS SUCH AS MYELOMENINGOCELE. THE ETIOLOGY IS OFTEN MULTIFACTORIAL, WHICH INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL, MATERNAL, AND GENETIC FACTORS. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A FLUID- CONTAINED SAC THAT PROTRUDES AT THE AFFECTED VERTEBRAL LEVEL. THEREFORE, EARLY MEDICAL AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT ARE ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING FURTHER COMPLICATIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE. THIS ACTIVITY WILL REVIEW THE ETIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR MYELOMENINGOCELE.