Adult presentation of spinal dysraphism and tandem diastematomyelia

Background contextDiastematomyelia is a split-cord malformation often accompanied by other cord or column anomalies.PurposeTo report on an adult patient with diastematomyelia and discuss the embryological basis and related developmental sequelae of this split-cord malformation.Study designCase report.MethodsA summary of the management of a 54-year-old woman with recent clinical symptomatology related to an undiagnosed split-cord malformation is presented with accompanying literature review.ResultsA rare adult presentation of diastematomyelia with accompanying intradural extramedullary epidermoid tumor was repaired with resection of the soft-tissue mass and excision of the fibro-osseous septum.ConclusionInitial presentation of diastematomyelia is rarely seen in adults; accompanying pathology includes scoliosis, tethered cord, and intradural tumors. Effective treatment involves identification of the primary pathology.