Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a subset of neural tube defects that typically occur because of abnormal development and/or closure of the neural tube during development. Spina bifida is a failure of the dorsal aspect of the vertebrae to fuse during development. This abnormality is most often encountered in the caudal lumbar and lumbosacral regions and may be a component of sacrococcygeal dysgenesis. These defects may be associated with protrusion or adhesion of the meninges (meningocele) or the meninges and spinal cord (meningomyelocele). With meningocele or meningomyelocele, there may be an associated, usually soft, fluctuant, swelling or enlargement involving the skin dorsal to the affected spinal area. Included in these defects may be a multitude of tissue types such as fat (lipoma) or even skin elements. These tissues may resemble a teratoma pathologically. The spinal cord may be attached, adhered, or tethered to the skin resulting in traction on the spinal cord and cauda equina nerves. Associated spinal cord defects such as myelodysplasias may also be present.
Age of Onset: Animals typically present from birth to 8 months of age. A variety of spinal cord congenital abnormalities may involve the vertebrae, the meninges, or the spinal cord proper. As many of these disorders are present from birth, congenital spinal cord abnormalities are more often identified as clinical problems in younger animals.
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Severity of clinical signs is relative to the character and extent of the congenital defect.
Severity of clinical signs is relative to the character and extent of the congenital defect.
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Plantigrade stance
Dorsal midline cutaneous defects (crusting skin lesions, depressions in the skin, abnormal streaming of hair growth)
Movement
Paraparesis
Bunny-hopping gait (some dogs)
Loss of tail tone
Special Reflexes (e.g. cutaneous trunci)
Reduced to absent withdrawal reflexes
Reduced perineal reflex/sensation
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary incontinence
Fecal incontinence
Persistent penile extrusion
Pain Sensation
Hypalgesia over skin of caudal thighs, genitals, perineum, and tail
Posture and Appearance
Plantigrade stance
Dorsal midline cutaneous defects (crusting skin lesions, depressions in the skin, abnormal streaming of hair growth)
Movement
Paraparesis
Bunny-hopping gait (some dogs)
Loss of tail tone
Special Reflexes (e.g. cutaneous trunci)
Reduced to absent withdrawal reflexes
Reduced perineal reflex/sensation
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary incontinence
Fecal incontinence
Persistent penile extrusion
Pain Sensation
Hypalgesia over skin of caudal thighs, genitals, perineum, and tail
Spinal (lumbar/lumbosacral > other spinal segments)
Unknown
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