Predictive value of spinal bone anomalies for spinal cord abnormalities in patients with anorectal malformations
Topic overview
Retrospective study of 348 ARM patients found strong correlation between sacral/vertebral anomalies and spinal cord abnormalities (42% prevalence), but SCA occurred even without bone anomalies. Authors recommend routine spinal MRI for all ARM patients regardless of visible bone defects, as most remain asymptomatic but may develop symptoms during growth.
Key takeaways
- Sacral and vertebral anomalies strongly correlate with spinal cord abnormalities in ARM patients (70-76% prevalence).
- Spinal cord abnormalities can occur even without visible bone anomalies—MRI screening recommended for all ARM patients.
- Higher-level anorectal malformations associate with increased prevalence of both spinal bone and cord abnormalities.
- Most patients with spinal cord abnormalities are asymptomatic initially but may develop symptoms during growth.
- Tethered cord (spinal dysraphism) is the most common spinal cord abnormality, present in 96% with fatty filum terminale.
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