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Spinal Miracle: Do you know how congenital spinal abnormalities are formed?
Congenital spinal anomalies are a group of malformations of the spine that usually develop during fetal development. According to statistics, approximately 85% of cases are not clinically significant, but may still compress the spinal cord through deformed spinal canal or cause spinal instability. These abnormalities include changes in the shape and number of vertebrae, which can have different effects on an individual's health.
Lumbarization and sacralization
Spondylosis is an abnormality of the spine characterized by a lack of fusion between the first and second sacral vertebrae, causing the lumbar spine to appear to have six vertebral segments instead of five. This sixth lumbar vertebra is called a transitional vertebra, and the sacrum that corresponds to it appears to have only four segments instead of the normal five. According to data, approximately 10% of adults have spinal abnormalities due to genetic reasons, among which the sixth lumbar vertebra is a relatively common deformity.
Sacralization is a congenital anomaly of the fifth lumbar vertebra (or sacrosacralization) that results in the transverse process of the last lumbar vertebra becoming fused to one side of the sacrum or pelvis.
This deformity occurs in approximately 3.5% of the population and is usually bilateral, but may be unilateral or incomplete (ipsilateral or contralateral residual structures). Although sacralization can be a cause of low back pain, many cases are asymptomatic, especially if it is bilateral. This condition is characterized by thinning and narrowing of the L5-S1 disc due to mechanical factors and can usually be confirmed on X-ray.
Hemivertebra
A hemivertebra is a wedge-shaped vertebra that may cause angular changes in the spine, such as kyphosis, scoliosis, or lordosis. Of all congenital spinal anomalies, hemivertebrae are most likely to cause neurological problems, with the most common location being the mid-thoracic spine, particularly the eighth thoracic vertebra (T8).
Neurological symptoms are usually caused by severe changes in the angle of the spine, narrowing of the spinal canal, spinal instability, and dislocation or fracture of the spine.
Symptoms include hind limb weakness or paralysis, urinary or fecal incontinence, and spinal pain. Most cases of hemivertebrae are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, so they are usually treated conservatively. In more severe cases, spinal cord decompression surgery and spinal stabilization therapy may be necessary.
Blocky spine
Spondylosis occurs when the spine is not segmented properly, resulting in partial or complete fusion of the spine. Adjacent vertebrae may fuse through their discs and other intervertebral joints, and may even cause blockage or stretching of nerve roots. This can cause certain nerve problems depending on the severity of the blockage and increase pressure on the upper and lower spinal joints.
Blocky vertebrae can cause abnormal angles of the spine and are associated with certain syndromes, such as Klippel–Feil syndrome.
Butterfly spine and transitional spine
Butterfly vertebrae have a sagittal cleft in the middle of the vertebrae, with funnel-shaped ends that give them the appearance of a butterfly when examined by X-ray. The cause of this abnormality is the persistence of the notochord, a tissue that is normally preserved only in the center of the disc. There are usually no symptoms. Transitional vertebrae have features of both types of vertebrae and are usually found at the cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbosacral junction, which may lead to arthritis or disc changes.
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is characterized by a midline tear in the spinal arch. This condition does not usually cause symptoms in dogs but is most common in bulldogs and Manx cats. In Manx cats, spina bifida is often accompanied by caudal pelvic hypoplasia, which is responsible for their characteristic tailless or short-tailed appearance.
Relevance
Vertebral abnormalities are associated with an increased incidence of certain other abnormalities, collectively known as VACTERL syndrome, which includes the following:
- V – Vertebral abnormalities
- A – Imperforate anus
- C – Cardiovascular disorders
- T – Airway-esophageal fistula
- E – Esophageal Atresia
- R – Renal or radicular abnormality
- L – Limb Loss
While these abnormalities are uncommon, understanding their causes and effects is critical for prevention and early diagnosis. Do people know how to effectively identify and treat these spinal abnormalities?
