Diastematomyelia

DIASTEMATOMYELLA is an uncommon developmental abnormality characterized by a split in the spinal cord over several segments, with a dividing spur of bony, fibrous, or cartilaginous material running dorsoventrally between the two halves at one point. Each portion of the spinal cord may represent nearly complete duplication of the cord histologically, with its own central canal surrounded by columns of gray and white matter. The condition might then be better termed "diplomyelia," a truly double spinal cord. However, the internal Structural details of the cord in those cases diagnosed and treated during life are not known, and the descriptive term "diastematomyelia" is most often used. Usually each portion of the divided spinal cord has its own covering of pia mater and arachnoid and less often a separate covering of dura mater. The nerve roots on the lateral aspects are well developed while those on the medial aspect of each portion are