IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Diastematomyelia - cervical spine

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain
  • Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

The cord is split with a fibrous/bony bar passing obliquely from front to back through the defect. Features are characteristic of diastematomyelia of the cervical cord. 

This patient has had numerous operations on their cervical spine. Some of the fusion may, therefore, be postoperative, although the notes refer to Klippel Fiel syndrome, thus some or all are presumably congenital.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.