New Medical Therapies for the Treatment of Myelomeningocele

Abstract

Spina bifida is a congenital abnormality associated with a defect in the bones and membranes surrounding the spinal cord. The most common site of the abnormality is the lower back. Myelomeningocele which is also called meningomyelocele is the most severe type and causes weakness and impairs the ability to walk. A myelomeningocele may also cause problems with bladder or bowel control, and it may be associated with hydrocephalus. In myelomeningocele, the defect in the vertebral column allows the spinal cord to herniate through an opening, and the meningeal membranes that cover the spinal cord protrude through the opening and form a sac enclosing the spinal elements (meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, and parts of the spinal cord and nerve roots). There is no curative or satisfactory effective therapy for the nervous tissue damage associated with myelomeningocele which generally results in a serious disability except in the less severe forms. Standard treatment of myelomeningocele is surgical closure which aims at preventing more damage of the nervous tissue. The patients may also need a shunt for hydrocephalus. A tethered spinal cord can sometimes be surgically repaired. Patients with myelomeningocele may need devices to aid with movement such as crutches or wheelchairs. Urinary catheterization sometimes is needed [1-4].