Congenital Spinal Meningocele

A newborn boy was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for management of an open lumbosacral neural-tube defect, initially detected during an antenatal ultrasound at 20 weeks’ gestation. No maternal risk factors were identified. The parents declined in utero surgical repair, and a planned cesarean section was performed at 39 weeks. Physical examination revealed a red, fluid-filled sac protruding through the lumbosacral defect. Subsequent spinal MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a meningocele, characterized by herniation of meninges and cerebrospinal fluid without neural tissue involvement. Surgical excision and reconstruction were performed at six days of age, and the infant was discharged home on postoperative day four. At six-month follow-up, developmental progress was normal.

A newborn boy was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for management of an open lumbosacral neural-tube defect, initially detected during an antenatal ultrasound at 20 weeks’ gestation. No maternal risk factors were identified. The parents declined in utero surgical repair, and a planned cesarean section was performed at 39 weeks. Physical examination revealed a red, fluid-filled sac protruding through the lumbosacral defect. Subsequent spinal MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a meningocele, characterized by herniation of meninges and cerebrospinal fluid without neural tissue involvement. Surgical excision and reconstruction were performed at six days of age, and the infant was discharged home on postoperative day four. At six-month follow-up, developmental progress was normal.