How to Detect Spina Bifida Occulta

Spina bifida occulta is also known as the hidden form of spina bifida. There are no physical manifestations unlike its counterpart spina bifida manifesta. In many cases people find out that they have this condition after they get the result from x-ray. Although it occurs in the spinal column but sometimes it does not cause any problems in the nervous system.

Forms

There are different forms of occulta which may affect the nervous system. These forms include lipomyelomeningocele and lipomeningocele (similar to tethered spinal cord but attached to a benign fatty tumor), thickened filum terminale (spinal cord’s end is too thick), fatty filum terminale (the inside end of the spinal cord has a fatty lump) and dermal sinus tract (the skin of the back is connected to the spinal canal through a band of tissue).

Signs

A person with spina bifida occulta may experience weakness in the legs and pain in the back or legs. There are times that a person will feel numbness in the legs or back and some unusual feeling in the same part. Other signs show that the back, legs and feet are deformed and there are changes in bowel and bladder function.

Other Signs

There are also visible signs in the skin that indicates a spinal cord problem under it. Among these problems are hairy patch, skin tract or sinus (deep dimple), fatty lump, hypopigmented spot (area with less skin color), birth mark (usually red without blue-black marks), hemangioma (red or purple spot) and dark spot.

However,  skin defects don’t generally imply occulta. Different physical examinations and diagnostic tests will confirm the condition. The tests includes ultrasound for the newborn and MRI. It’s very important to seek the help of doctors as this kind of defect needs medical attention.

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