Aortic anatomy in children with myelomeningocele and congenital lumbar kyphosis.

Preoperative aortograms were reviewed in six children with thoracic myelomeningocele and lumbar kyphosis at an average age of 25 months. In all children, the abdominal aorta bridged the lumbar kyphosis. In four children, the upper renal poles were close to the spine and were at potential risk during kyphectomy. All children had aortic shortening with an increased variability in origin of the major abdominal aortic branches. Abnormal lumbar arteries were noted in four children.