The initial treatment of meningocele and myelomeningocele lesions in adulthood: experiences with seven patients.

This is a retrospective study of patients having undergone surgical treatment of spina bifida cystica (SBC) lesions in adulthood. The objectives were to assess the clinical, radiological, and surgical characteristics of SBC lesions in adults. There is almost no study assessing these characteristics. Seven adult male patients with SBC lesions, ages between 20 and 23 (mean 21.1), had their primary evaluations between 1995 and 1999 in the Military Hospital, Yzmir, and Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara. A temporary cerebrospinal fluid leak in the patient with the thoracic lesion and a temporary partial urinary incontinence in the patient with the lumbosacral lesion occurred. The most common preoperative complaint was low back pain. This improved in three of four patients (75%) but did not disappear. Although it is rare, an adult with an untreated SBC is a possible entity. These lesions should be included in the differential diagnosis of dorsal midline lesions in adults. Even though they appear as a simple spinal meningocele clinically, preoperative MR imaging and CT are necessary and helpful in the precise diagnosis and surgical planning.