Spina bifida occulta

What is it?

Spina bifida occulta (also called hidden spina bifida), is the mildest and most common form of spina bifida. Spina bifida means “open spine.” The spine protects the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of the back. Spina bifida happens when the spinal cord or bones in the spine don’t form correctly, leaving a gap or opening. Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine. It is the most common kind of neural tube defect, and it can affect how a baby’s brain, spine, spinal cord and meninges develop.

Spina bifida occulta is a malformation of one or more vertebrae. It is sometimes called “closed” spina bifida. In most cases, spina bifida occulta causes no problems.

Symptoms

A small number of people with more extensive spina bifida occulta may have some of the following symptoms:

  • Deformity of the foot
  • Weakness, numbness, or clumsiness in the legs
  • Bladder or bowel dysfunction

These symptoms can be the result of a tethered cord. Left untreated, tethered cord can cause progressive damage to the spinal cord.

Diagnosis

Often, spina bifida occulta is visually indicated on the baby’s back. Otherwise, spina bifida occulta is usually an incidental finding. X-rays, and MR scans are the procedures we use for diagnosis of spina bifida occulta.

Treatment

Often spina bifida requires no treatment. When it causes tethered cord, surgery is sometimes recommended. For any type of tether surgery, the bones of the spinal column are opened from behind to expose the full extent of the spinal cord tethering. Spinal cord and nerve function are carefully monitored by neurophysiologists during this operation to minimize the risk to the spinal cord, nerves, and nerve roots.