Computed tomography in spinal dysraphism.

The value of spinal computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of spinal dysraphism is described. Eight patients with diverse etiological agents were evaluated by clinical examination and subsequent computed tomography, without contrast enhancement. The diagnosis and location of the pathology thus ascertained allowed for appropriate surgery without invasive diagnostic studies. The value of this approach in children and in those patients in whom a low conus medullaris is suspected is obvious.