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Diastematomyelia
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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Diastematomyelia is a combined malformation of the spinal canal, consisting of its division by bone, cartilaginous or fibrous spines or partitions, accompanied by splitting and/or doubling of the spinal cord, its elements and membranes. A tetrad of the following clinical and radiological signs is typical for diastematomyelia:
- congenital defects and dysplasia of the limbs, most often the lower ones;
- skin anomalies - hemangiomas, pigment spots, skin recesses, local hypertrichosis, etc. above the spine and in the paravertebral zones;
- spinal developmental anomalies;
- widening of the interpedicular distance on a direct radiograph in the area of the septum localization.
Diastematomyelia is rarely encountered as an isolated defect of the spinal canal. Typically, it is combined with disorders of vertebral segmentation, less often - with disorders of fusion and formation of posterior structures, spinal hernias. A combination of diastematomyelia with volumetric formations of the spinal canal of embryonic origin - dermoids, lipomas, teratomas, dermal sinus is possible.
In the available literature, we were unable to find any classifications of diastematomyelia.
Diastematomyelia (working classification scheme)
Classification features |
Clinical and radiation options |
| Prevalence | Local - within 1-2 vertebral segments, Widespread - within 3 or more segments. |
| Morphological structure of the septum | a) bone, b) cartilaginous, c) fibrous, d) mixed |
| Partition shape | a) cylindrical, b) mushroom-shaped, c) spiny ("spicule", often occupies only part of the lumen of the spinal canal), d) complex or tumorous |
| Presence of neurological disorders | A) without neurological disorders, b) with primary neurological disorders (like myelodysplasia) - no progression -with a deepening of symptoms during the growth process B) with secondary neurological disorders (such as myelopathy) |
| Relationship with the contents of the spinal canal | A) without splitting the dura mater, B) with splitting of the dura mater, incl. - with a split in one of the walls of the dural sac -with the formation of isolated dural sacs B) with isolated splitting of the membranes and elements of the equine tail, D) with complete splitting of the spinal cord and its membranes (symmetrical or asymmetrical) |
| Localization of the base of the septum relative to the walls of the spinal canal | A) originating from the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies, B) originating from the lateral wall of the spinal canal, B) originating from the vertebral arches (posterior wall of the spinal canal). |
Spinal cord cleft pattern |
A) diastematomyelia proper, B) Diplomielia |
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