Masataka Tajima

Craniolacunia in Newborn with Myelomeningocele

Plain skull films were taken within 7 days of birth in 34 newborn with myelomeningocele. There appears to be a correlation between hydrocephalus or Arnold-Chiari malformation and the severity of craniolacunia. Craniolacunia was observed in 28 cases (82%). The incidence of craniolacunia in myelomeningocele in this series is higher than in previous reports. One of the reasons is that plain skull films of newborn with myelomeningocele are usually not taken early at birth. We would like to emphasize that plain skull films be taken early at birth in newborn with myelomeningocele and that the presence of craniolacunia be considered as being associated with hydrocephalus and the Arnold-Chiari malformation.