DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i12.008

Pages: 2718-2722

Background: Spinal dysraphism includes a spectrum of congenital disorders caused by incomplete or abnormal closure of the neural tube during early embryogenesis. As a result, fusion of the midline spinal elements is either absent or incomplete. MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) is an excellent imaging modality to visualize the spinal cord of patients of all ages. Although worldwide it is considered as imaging modality of choice for defining spinal dysraphism we have very few information regarding this issue. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the role of MRI in the evaluation of spinal dysraphism in paediatric patients. Methods: This was a descriptive observational study which was conducted in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh during the period from July 2015 to June 2016. In total 47 paediatric patients presented with a clinical diagnosis of spinal dysraphism and referred to the Department of Radiology and Imaging, BSMMU for MRI were selected as study population. All patients underwent a detailed physical examination, followed by MRI. All data were collected, processed, analyzed and disseminated by MS Office and SPSS version 16 as per need. Result: In this study we found 42.55% patients were with open and 57.45% were with closed dysraphism. Among total study people in 36.17%, 4.26% and 2.13% participant meningomyelocele, myelocele and hemimyelocele were associated as features respectively. Among total study people in 8.51%, 6.38%, 17.02%, 4.26% and 21.28% participant lipomyelomeningocele, meningocele, diastematomyelia, filum terminale lipoma and dorsal dermal sinus were associated as features respectively. In analyzing the levels of spinal involvement among participants we observed, in 47%, 38%, 11% and 4% patients lumber, sacral thoracic and cervical dysraphism were found respectively. Conclusion: Paediatric spinal dysraphism as well as associated malformations or features....