A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence

Spinal dysraphisms (SDs) are characterized by a heterogeneous range of congenital spinal anomalies  that arise from derivative disturbances in neural tube development. Closed spinal dysraphism, a variant, is less common and typically has a subtle clinical presentation. Timely and correct diagnosis i...

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Main Authors: Shubhi Gaur, MBBS, Pratap Singh Parihar, MD, PhD, Gaurav Vedprakash Mishra, MD, PhD, Prasad Sanjay Desale, MBBS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001852
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author Shubhi Gaur, MBBS
Pratap Singh Parihar, MD, PhD
Gaurav Vedprakash Mishra, MD, PhD
Prasad Sanjay Desale, MBBS
author_facet Shubhi Gaur, MBBS
Pratap Singh Parihar, MD, PhD
Gaurav Vedprakash Mishra, MD, PhD
Prasad Sanjay Desale, MBBS
author_sort Shubhi Gaur, MBBS
collection DOAJ
description Spinal dysraphisms (SDs) are characterized by a heterogeneous range of congenital spinal anomalies  that arise from derivative disturbances in neural tube development. Closed spinal dysraphism, a variant, is less common and typically has a subtle clinical presentation. Timely and correct diagnosis is essential to avert chronic complications. We describe a 12-year-old boy who presented with progressively worsening bladder and bowel incontinence since early childhood. On clinical examination, he was found to have swelling of the sacral region, gross motor impairment, and a slim physique. MRI showed hydro/syringomyelia, tethered cord, lipomeningocele, spina bifida in the sacral region, chronic cystitis and dural ectasia. These test results were consistent with the diagnosis of closed spinal dysraphism. This case highlights the need to consider urinary incontinence and sacral anomalies as manifestations of closed spinal dysraphism. Neuroimaging plays a key role in diagnosis, and especially MRI is the gold standard in detecting detailed structural abnormalities. To improve patient outcomes and quality of life, this paper emphasizes the intricacy of closed spinal dysraphism and the necessity of multidisciplinary management and early intervention.
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spelling doaj-art-beb1396d731a4dff86c1c7fd17ea986d2025-08-20T02:16:55ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-06-012062850285410.1016/j.radcr.2025.02.082A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinenceShubhi Gaur, MBBS0Pratap Singh Parihar, MD, PhD1Gaurav Vedprakash Mishra, MD, PhD2Prasad Sanjay Desale, MBBS3Corresponding author.; Department of Radiodiagnosis, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India 44200Department of Radiodiagnosis, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India 44200Department of Radiodiagnosis, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India 44200Department of Radiodiagnosis, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India 44200Spinal dysraphisms (SDs) are characterized by a heterogeneous range of congenital spinal anomalies  that arise from derivative disturbances in neural tube development. Closed spinal dysraphism, a variant, is less common and typically has a subtle clinical presentation. Timely and correct diagnosis is essential to avert chronic complications. We describe a 12-year-old boy who presented with progressively worsening bladder and bowel incontinence since early childhood. On clinical examination, he was found to have swelling of the sacral region, gross motor impairment, and a slim physique. MRI showed hydro/syringomyelia, tethered cord, lipomeningocele, spina bifida in the sacral region, chronic cystitis and dural ectasia. These test results were consistent with the diagnosis of closed spinal dysraphism. This case highlights the need to consider urinary incontinence and sacral anomalies as manifestations of closed spinal dysraphism. Neuroimaging plays a key role in diagnosis, and especially MRI is the gold standard in detecting detailed structural abnormalities. To improve patient outcomes and quality of life, this paper emphasizes the intricacy of closed spinal dysraphism and the necessity of multidisciplinary management and early intervention.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001852Chiari malformationMeningoceleSpinal dysraphismUrinary incontinenceSpine MRI
spellingShingle Shubhi Gaur, MBBS
Pratap Singh Parihar, MD, PhD
Gaurav Vedprakash Mishra, MD, PhD
Prasad Sanjay Desale, MBBS
A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
Radiology Case Reports
Chiari malformation
Meningocele
Spinal dysraphism
Urinary incontinence
Spine MRI
title A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
title_full A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
title_fullStr A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
title_full_unstemmed A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
title_short A silent malformation: Closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
title_sort silent malformation closed spinal dysraphism in a boy with urinary incontinence
topic Chiari malformation
Meningocele
Spinal dysraphism
Urinary incontinence
Spine MRI
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001852
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