Expression and Assessment of Lipomyelomeningocele, Case Report

Abstract

Background: Incomplete closure of the neural tube during embryonic development can result in spinal dysraphisms, including lipomyelomeningocele. This type of occult spina bifida is characterized by the herniation of the spinal cord and meninges through a vertebral defect, often accompanied by cutaneous stigmata such as hemangiomas or subcutaneous masses. Currently, lipomyelomeningocele is an understudied topic in the national literature compared to other more frequently documented spinal dysraphisms. Case Description: A one-year-old female infant presented with a lumbosacral mass and suggestive findings of spinal dysraphism: flat hemangioma, deviation of the intergluteal fold, and a lumbosacral lipoma. Conclusion: Early detection and treatment of lipomyelomeningocele, supported by the proper identification of cutaneous stigmata and interpretation of imaging studies, are essential to prevent long-term neurological complications.