Developmental disorders

II./4.4.: Non-imaging diagnostic tests

A key factor in the diagnosis of the disease is proper prenatal ultrasound examinations in time, according to the protocol. If it raises the possibility of any abnormality the next step is an MRI scan. You can read more about the diagnostic imaging in another chapter. If the neural tube closure defect is associated with urological dysfunction or its suspicion, further monitoring and urodynamic examination is necessary. If deteriorating bladder function is discovered during follow up, it may indicate the need for surgical correction of the known intraspinal lesion.

II./4.5.: Differential diagnosis

Another group of pathological protrusions in the lumbosacral region is the sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) Its incidence is 1-2 cases/40000 of live births. Teratoma is a tumor that contains all three of germ layer’s and derivatives. Differentiation of SCT from meningocele is primarily possible with MRI or ultrasound examination, however, the former can be distinguished by its distal location (meningocele is primarily in the lumbar area, while the SCT is in the coccygeal area) skin cover, and solid tact. The only possible treatment is radical surgical removal. The prognosis is defined by the proportion of mature and immature parts, dominance of the former is much more favourable.