Magnetic resonance imaging of postrepair-myelomeningocele--findings in 31 children and adolescents.

Magnetic resonance imaging has clearly demonstrated its efficacy in the diagnosis of pathological processes in the C.N.S. We examined 31 children who had undergone plastic closure of myelomeningocele a few days post partum. We could show that a high percentage of the patients (89%) presented the pathological anatomy of a tethered spinal cord; clinical symptoms of the tethered spinal cord syndrome, i.e. progressive neurological symptoms, however, are rarely observed. Possible revision of neurosurgical treatment of MMC is discussed.