Spina Bifida Occulta

What is Spina Bifida Occulta?

Spina bifida occulta is one form of spina bifida. Spina bifida occulta is the most mild and most common form of spina bifida. It is estimated that from 5-10% of the population may have degree form of spina bifida occulta. The vast majority of those affected by spina bifida occulta show no signs or symptoms whatsoever and may not even be aware that they have spina bifida occulta until having a back x-ray for a completely unrelated issue. However, for some people with spina bifida occulta there are accompanying complications. The word "occulta" means hidden which is a result of the fact that the majority of spina bifida occulta cases are unknown to the patient.

Spina Bifida Occulta: Mild Case

Spina bifida occulta refers to multiple conditions related the spinal column. The spinal column is tasked with both supporting the skeleton and protecting the vital spinal cord (cable of nervous tissue responsible for transmitting information between brain and body). Spina bifida occulta is a relatively common condition, often found incidentally. In many cases the only exterior sign of spina bifida occulta may be an abnormal tuft of hair, collection of fat, or birthmark on the skin over the defect.The term spina bifida occulta is actually used to describe 

numerous conditions.

The most common form of spina bifida occulta is considered to be a harmless mild variant from normal vertebral (bone) anatomy. In the more mild cases of spina bifida occulta, sections of the bones in the spine called "spinous process" and "neural arch" appear to be abnormal on a radiogram. Typically, in these cases of spina bifida occulta, the spinal cord and spinal nerves are not affected. Isolated bony spina bifida occulta (without a spinal cord issue) typically will not lead to issues with the nervous system. In the more mild cases of spina bifida occulta where the spinal cord is not affected, some doctors have begun to refer to it as a "vertebral fusion defect."

Spina Bifida Occulta: Serious Case

As mentioned previously, the majority of spina bifida occulta cases show almost no symptoms. In many instances, the more mild cases of spina bifida occulta may only be realized during a scan for an unrelated complication. However, the rare cases of spina bifida occulta that do affect the spinal cord are the cases that may have potential health consequences including:

·      Tethered spinal cord - The bottom end of the spinal cord has an unusual attachment to the surrounding structures. The spinal cord may become stretched and damaged.

·      Thickened filum terminale - an enlarging of the end portion of the spinal cord

·      Dermal sinus tract - a connection between the spinal canal and skin on the back that looks like a band of tissue on the outside

·      Diastematomvelia (split spinal cord) - the spinal cord is split in two, typically by a piece of cartilage or bone

·      Lipomyelomeningocele - a tethered spinal cord attached to a benign tumor in the back

Spina Bifida Occulta Complications

Spina bifida occulta is a form of the disorder spina bifida. Spina bifida occulta is both the most mild and most common form of spina bifida. It is estimated that between 5-20% of the normal population may have some level of spina bifida occulta. The majority of those affected by spina bifida occulta show no associated complications and may not even be aware that they have spina bifida occulta until having a back x-ray for a completely unrelated issue. However, for some people with spina bifida occulta there are accompanying spina bifida occulta complications.

Spina bifida occulta occurs in two separate forms that carry the same name but have different complications. It may lead to confusion when someone is diagnosed with spina bifida occulta, but don't know whether they have the type with many complications. The more common form of spina bifida occulta is only a vertebrae issue and does not affect the spinal cord. The form that has more spina bifida occulta complications does affect the spinal cord.

In a more serious case of spina bifida occulta there may be numerous complications including some or all of the following:

·     Tethered Cord - As an infant develops, the spinal cord starts as a flat group of cells. Eventually, the group of cells morphs into a tube inside of the spine. The spine grows more quickly than the spinal cord. As long as there are no impediments, the cord may move back and forth freely within the spine. In some cases of spina bifida occulta, the spinal cord may become attached to surrounding tissue at the base of the back. This spina bifida occulta complication is called a tethered spinal cord.

Once the cord has become tethered, the patient may suffer from neurological defects caused by this spina bifida occulta complication. Some results of this complication may include a weakening of the lower limbs causing difficulty in movement or foot deformities. Also, as a result of the tethered cord complication, a patient may have bladder infections or difficulty controlling their bowels.

·    Pregnancy - Women who have spina bifida occulta typically will not have added difficulty becoming pregnant. However, in many cases, a complication of spina bifida occulta can be a difficulty maintaining the pregnancy to term. This will likely vary depending on the severity of the spina bifida occulta. Some women with spina bifida occulta may experience structural changes to the uterus which can cause complications with pregnancy. Another spina bifida occulta complication affecting pregnancy is the weakened lower extremities caused by a tethered cord. A tethered cord may also cause lower body inflexibility and other complications affecting pregnant women.

·   Syringomyelia - Another possible spina bifida occulta complication is syringomyelia. Syringomyelia is typically caused by a tethered spinal cord. The area known as the syrinx (fluid filled cyst) helps to determine the type of treatment to be considered. Symptoms of a syringomyelia may include muscle weakness, lack of reflexes, and loss of feeling or sensitivity to pain or temperature. Other spina bifida occulta complications due to syringomyelia may include bowel and bladder problems, stiffness, pain, or a tingling sensation.

Spina Bifida Occulta Lawsuit: Speak to an Attorney

Many new parents ask themselves what was the cause of my child's Spina Bifida Occulta? Did it happen during pregnancy? The following medications may be linked to causing the development of Spina Bifida Occulta of unborn babies, infants, and children when their mothers took them while pregnant:

·         Depakote

·         Tegretol

·         Topamax

Our law firm is handling individual birth defect lawsuits against drug and pharmaceutical companies and currently accepting new Depakote, Tegretol, and Topamax cases. If your child was born with a birth injury that you believe may have been caused by taking an antidepressant during pregnancy, then you should contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential birth defect lawsuit case. All cases are handled on a Contingency Fee Basis (no attorney's fees or expenses charged unless we recover for you).

Can Depakote, Topamax or Tegretol Cause Spina Bifida ?

In a 2006 medical study published in the Journal of Neurology the commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs like Depakote present a higher risk of developing neural tube defects in the feus (unborn baby). Such neural tube defects include Spina Bifida Occulta, Spina Bifida Meningocele and Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele.  The results of a 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine did not contradict those findings. The harmful birth defects associated with Valproic Acid have also been noted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA issued a warning about medicines containing or derived from Valproic Acid in 2006. ( See FDA DEPAKOTE WARNING)