Sixty patients with diastematomyelia were seen over a thirty-year period
and congenital scoliosis was found in 60 per cent. All of the patients had
associated vertebral abnormalities and most (87 per cent) had a neural
deficit. Myelography was helpful in the diagnosis, particularly prior to any
procedure that might cause traction on the spinal cord. Laminectomy for
removal of the spur was indicated when neural deficits were progressive or
before corrective surgery on the spine, and in ten patients the operation
alleviated neural sequelae. Observation of patients with diastematomyelia who
have no neural deficit or a stable, non-progressing deficit is
recommended.