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rachischisis
Complete spina bifida.
Pathology:
- developmental birth defect involving the neural tube
- occurs in utero, when the posterior neuropore of the neural tube fails to close by day 27 of gestation
- the vertebrae overlying the open portion of the spinal cord do not fully form & remain unfused & open, leaving the spinal cord exposed
- often occurs in combination anencephaly
Clinical manifestations:
- motor & sensory deficits*
- chronic infections*
* if newborn survives long enough
Complications:
- almost always fatal
General
spina bifida
References
- Wikipedia: Rachischisis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachischisis
- Jone J et al
Rachischisis
http://radiopaedia.org/articles/rachischisis