Localization Of Cyst Of Myelomeningocele Among Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency distribution of myelomeningocele cyst location among pediatric patients at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi. Study Design and Setting: This cross sectional study was conducted in outpatient department of neurosurgery ward of JPMC. Methodology: All fifty male and female babies having myelomeningocele, newly born to more than 12 months of age, who presented in outpatient department of neurosurgery ward of JPMC during the period of six months were included in the study. Verbal informed consent of the parents was taken and babies were examined for the location, size and associated complains of myelomeningocele. Results: The patients presented mainly in the age group of newly born to 3months. Majority of them were males. Atonic bladder and bowel along with paralysis of lower limbs were uniformly found associated features. Among male patients distribution of myelomeningocele was 3% each in cervical and thoracic while 96% in lumbar region whereas female patients had 6% cervical and 84% lumbar cysts with no cyst in the thoracic region. The average size of MMC cyst in lumbar region was 4.0×4.2 cm. Conclusion: Cyst of myelomeningocele was found to be more in male children up to 3months of age with location in the lumbar region. The average size of cyst was 4.0×4.2 cm and accounted for atonic bladder and bowel along with paralysis of lower limbs