Surgical management of adult type 1 split cord malformation. Report of two cases with literature review.

Split cord malformation (SCM) is a rare form of spinal dysraphism wherein the spinal cord is divided longitudinally into two distinct hemicords. Surgery is usually performed in children while management in adults, who rarely manifest symptoms, remains controversial. Both expectant management and prophylactic surgery have been variously advocated. The present article describes our experience in two adult patients with predominant pain-related complaints who underwent surgical excision of type 1 SCM lesions. A comprehensive review of the literature on SCM in adults is also provided. While pain, disability, and quality of life scores improved in these two patients, further larger studies will be required to define the role of surgery in adults with type 1 SCM and a pain-dominant presentation.