TWO RARE CASES OF DIASTEMATOMYELIA

Background Diastematomyelia involving more than one level is rare that too involving the cervical region and it has to be corrected at the earliest to avoid the neurological symptomsoccurrence and also to avoid the worsening of the symptoms.Case presentation We report two rare cases of diastematomyelia or split cord malformation, one with more than one level (cervical and lumbar) split cord by bony spur (type1at lumbar and type2 at cervical) and another case of split cord due to fibrous septum (type2). 12 year old boy, a known case of spinal dysraphism underwent myelomeningocele correction at newborn presented with fluid discharging sinus in the cervical segment in midline posterior aspect and imaging showed cervical and lumbar split cord due to bony septum. Another case of 9 year old female child presented with bladder dysfunction, imaging showedlumbar split cord by the fibrous band.Conclusion craniospinal MRI remains the choice, as this will not only delineate cord anatomy, but also screen the entire neuraxis for other associated cranial and spinal anomalies. In order to avoid irreversible damage to the neural tissue, surgical intervention must be instituted as soon as diagnosis is made.