Adult presentation of spinal dysraphism and tandem diastematomyelia.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Diastematomyelia is a split-cord malformation often accompanied by other cord or column anomalies.

PURPOSE: To report on an adult patient with diastematomyelia and discuss the embryological basis and related developmental sequelae of this split-cord malformation.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

A summary of the management of a 54-year-old woman with recent clinical symptomatology related to an undiagnosed split-cord malformation is presented with accompanying literature review.

RESULTS

A rare adult presentation of diastematomyelia with accompanying intradural extramedullary epidermoid tumor was repaired with resection of the soft-tissue mass and excision of the fibro-osseous septum.

CONCLUSION

Initial presentation of diastematomyelia is rarely seen in adults; accompanying pathology includes scoliosis, tethered cord, and intradural tumors. Effective treatment involves identification of the primary pathology.