[The value of computer tomography in the diagnosis of congenital spinal malformations particularly diastematomyelia (author's transl)].

The value of computer tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of diastematomyelia (DM) was studied in our own clinical material. Thirty-one patients with congenital spinal anomalies were examined; in 21 a DM could be demonstrated. CT has two major advantages in the radiological investigation of spinal abnormalities, such as spinal dysraphism and DM: 1. Cross sections of the spinal canal can be obtained without overlying opacities and 2. The demonstration of intraspinal soft tissues structures, corresponding to their attenuation characteristics and the relative differences in absorption of the x-rays.