Rachischisis totalis

Rachischisis totalis, also known as complete spina bifida, refers to a severe form of spina bifida where there is a cleft through the entire spine.

Pathology

There is often a severe or complete defect of the neural tube involving the entire spine from the cervical region through to the sacrum.

Associations

A rachischisis often occurs in association cranial neural tube defects such as:

• anencephaly
• acrania
• iniencephaly

Treatment and prognosis

A rachischisis is almost always fatal.

History and etymology

The term rachischisis derives from the Greek words rachi meaning spine and schisis meaning split.

See also

• myeloschisis

Siehe auch:

• Spina bifida
• Neuralrohrdefekt