Does anyone know any thing about occult spina bifida?

Answer 1

Spina bifida occulta is common. Two studies undertaken in Great Britain in the mid 1980s suggest that 22% or 23% of people have spina bifida occulta. Even though there is a very slightly increased chance of a slipped disc, very few people with spina bifida occulta will ever have any problems because of it. If a person has no symptoms from spina bifida occulta as a child, then it is unlikely that they will have any as an adult.
Most people will not even be aware that they have spina bifida occulta unless it shows up on an X-ray which they have for some unrelated reason. It is usually just a small part of one vertebra low in the back which is missing.

Answer 2

Spina bifida occulta is common. Two studies undertaken in Great Britain in the mid 1980s suggest that 22% or 23% of people have spina bifida occulta. Even though there is a very slightly increased chance of a slipped disc, very few people with spina bifida occulta will ever have any problems because of it. If a person has no symptoms from spina bifida occulta as a child, then it is unlikely that they will have any as an adult.
Most people will not even be aware that they have spina bifida occulta unless it shows up on an X-ray which they have for some unrelated reason. It is usually just a small part of one vertebra low in the back which is missing. See the diagrams below that show cross sections of one vertebra.

Answer 3

Spina bifida occulta.
A form of spina bifida that is "hidden (occulta)".
A person with this form doesn't display any signs or symptoms. Only that their spinal cord is not completely fused at the end, but such a small opening that it doesn't cause any real problems. Some signs are a tuft of hair on the lower back (I don't know why), and the development of a pretty major cyst at the base of the tailbone. Not a serious health issue, but a serious annoyance. Usually needs to be surgically drained and left open to heal and close. This cyst develops because of that tiny opening at the end of the spinal cord, gets infected. That's about all I know.

Answer 4

spi·na bif·i·da (spn bf-d) KEY
NOUN:
A congenital defect in which the spinal column is imperfectly closed so that part of the meninges or spinal cord protrudes, often resulting in hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. Also called schistorrhachis .
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ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin spna bifida : Latin spna, spine + Latin bifida, feminine of bifidus, split in two .
Spina bifida is a defined as any abnormal development of the bones of the spine that display a typical pattern, with or without the involvement of the brain, nerves or covering of the nerves (meninges). It is the most common congenital spine abnormality. The term spina bifida covers a range of malformations that always include deformities of certain parts of the vertebrae, the spinous process and vertebral arch. Some have described this process as a failure of these bones to fuse during early fetal development.

Type:Spina bifida occulta

Description:1.Bony abnormality seen by x-ray

2.Nerves may be involved when associated with skin changes or hairy patch .

Incidence: Relatively common (5-10% of general population)

Diagnosis

Since there is no opening to the skin, spina bifida occulta can only be seen on x-ray or MRI. Certain clinical findings such as dimpling of the skin or a hairy patch at the base of the spine may trigger further investigation by a physician.

Underlying spinal nerve abnormalities can be seen in these situations. There is inconclusive evidence that this type of deformity is related to back pain, scoliosis, or nighttime bed-wetting. A large study showed that in patients not complaining of back pain, almost 20% had uncomplicated spina bifida occulta. If you have an abnormality on an x-ray, it does not always mean that this is causing your pain.

The diagnosis of open spina bifida is usually made at birth or during prenatal ultrasound screening. It accounts for about 10% of all patients with spina bifida. There can be a mass outside the body at the base of the spine containing nerves (myelomeningocele) or the nerves may be absent in the mass (meningocele). Usually the deformity is covered with a thin membrane (spina bifida cystica), or it can be open to the environment (spina bifida aperta) and drainage of spinal fluid is seen.

Treatment :

There is no specific treatment for occult spina bifida if the abnormality is limited to the bone. Usually these deformities are found at the last lumbar vertebrae (L5) or at the first sacral vertebrae (S1). However, deformities of the spine can lead to degenerative changes later in life that may require intervention.

Open spina bifida and underlying spinal abnormalities associated with occult spina bifida are treated by a neurosurgeon. The goal of surgery is to preserve the nerves, restore the normal anatomy, and close the defect. This delicate surgery is carefully performed under magnification while using special monitors to help identify the nerves. Surgery will help to reduce the risk of infection (meningitis) and reduce the progression of long-term disability.

Answer 5

Try going to www.sbaa.org Spina Bifida Association of America's webstie.

It's the least severe form of Spina Bifida and may go undetected until adulthood.

Answer 6

Spinina bifida occulta is a simple dimple over the lower spine or a hairy patch and a defect is present in the vertebra. Nerves may be involved in the hairy patch type.

Answer 7

My child has it. At birth it showed only as a deep purple crease at the base of the spine - by the age of 10 it was no longer noticeable. No problems other then heavy lifting as job would not be a good idea.

Answer 8

no