Posterior cervical meningocele with tetheredcord: A rare form of spinal dysraphism

Meningocele is a complex congenital form of spinal dysraphism secondary to neural tube defects that occur during the third to fourth week of gestation. This form of spina bifida cystica (open type) requires early diagnosis and surgical intervention. Untreated, they develop the dreaded combination of spontaneous/traumatic rupture and encephalitis and the eventually fatal sepsis, secondary to florid meningitis. Cervical meningocele and myelomeningocele are rare spinal dysraphic lesions. There is often no neurological deficit in infants with cervical lesions, thus the subtle features of cervical cord tethering may be overlooked on imaging. Here, a case of cervical meningocele with tethered cord is reported in a 17-day-old girl. The tethering band, confirmed intra-operatively, was evident on imaging. Treatment aims to prevent future neurological deterioration, and should include careful intradural exploration with detethering of the cord.