MRI and CT findings in anterior thoracic myelomeningocele associated with scoliosis: A case of an 8-year-old child

Abstract

Anterior Thoracic Myelomeningocele is a very rare condition. The diagnosis may be made before or after birth. Association with loss of physiologic curvature of the spine is common. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with congenital dorsal sinistro-convex scoliosis, which was considered nonspecific and improved slightly after physical therapy. The onset of urinary and fecal incontinence at the age of 8 years led the parents to consult a urologist. MRI of the spinal cord revealed an anterior thoracic heterogeneous cystic lesion extending from the third to the eighth dorsal vertebrae. The heterogeneous cystic mass contained a solid spinal cord-like structure on all sequences. No abnormal enlargement, no torsion of the cauda equina or cerebellar amygdala. No malformation of the posterior fossa. CT scan showed aplasia of the right pedicle of the third thoracic vertebrae (T3) with thoracic scoliosis. The associated anterior thoracic myelomeningocele was the final diagnosis that motivated the transfer of the patient to a specialized neurosurgical center.

Keywords

• Myelomeningocele
• Anterior thoracic
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Democratic Republic of the Congo