Prenatal assignation of lesion levels in neural tube defects by using ultrasonography. Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Myelomeningoceles are routinely diagnosed prenatally by using ultrasonography. Because the level of the neural defect has been shown to correlate with functional and cognitive outcome in infants with myelomeningocele, it is of prognostic importance to identify the level prenatally. The authors report on a case in which the postnatal vertebral level of the myelomeningocele was more rostral than expected based on prenatal imaging.