Intro
Preface
Contents
Gastrulation and Split Cord Malformation
Definition
Nomenclature
Epidemiology
Pathology
Aetiology
Embryology: Germinal Phase
Embryology: Gastrulation
Dysraphism and Embryology
Split Cord Malformation and Embryology
Split Cord Malformation and Experimental Evidence
Signs and Symptoms
Associated Conditions
Neuroimaging
Management
Surgery for Type 1 SCM
Surgery for Type 2 SCM
Complications
Prognosis
Conclusion
References
Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele: Neurosurgical Perspectives

Introduction and Experimental Background
Clinical Studies
Neurosurgery Perspectives
Hydrocephalus
Chiari II Malformation
Motor Function
Anatomical Level
MMC Sac vs No Sac
Gestational Age at the Time of Fetal Repair
Bladder Function
Cognitive Function
Complications at the Myelomeningocele Repair Site
Problems of Wound Healing
Inclusion Cysts
Re-tethering of Spinal Cord
Selection Criteria for Fetal Surgery
Operative Technique: Standard Open Fetal Repair of MMC
Abdominal Opening
Hysterotomy
Fetal Monitoring
Standard Open Repair

Skin Patch Repair
Alternative Techniques
Fetoscopic Repair (FSBAR)
Mini-Hysterotomy
Future Perspectives
References
A New Surgical Paradigm for Postnatal Repair of Open Neural Tube Defects Using Intraoperative Neurophysiology Monitoring
Primary Neurulation Defect
Disadvantages of Traditional Repair of Open Neural Tube Defects
Advantages of the New Paradigm for Repair of Open Neural Tube Defects
Patient Series
Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)
Surgical Technique
Intraoperative Surgical and IONM Findings

First Illustrative Case: Terminal Lumbar Non-functional Placode (Case #2 in Table 1)
Second Illustrative Case: Preservation of Segmental Lumbar Placode with L5 Functional Level (Case #8 in Table 1)
Histopathology of the Resected Placode
Neurological, Urological and Imaging Follow-Up
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Focal Spinal Nondisjunctional Disorders: Including a Discussion on the Embryogenesis of Cranial Focal Nondisjunctional Lesions
Introduction
Embryogenetic Mechanisms of Focal Nondisjunctional Disorders
Normal Primary Neurulation

On the Caudal End of the Primary Neural Tube
Relevant Features in the Rostral End of Primary Neural Tube
Faults in Embryogenesis in Focal Nondisjunctional Disorders
Molecular Mechanisms of Focal Nondisjunctional Malformations
Embryogenetic Mechanisms of the Subtypes of Focal Spinal Nondisjunctional Disorders
Embryogenetic Mechanisms of Cranial Focal Nondisjunctional Disorders
Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Manifestations of FSND
Pure CSDST
Pathological Anatomy
Clinical Manifestations
Pure LDM
Pathological Anatomy
Clinical Manifestations
Cutaneous Markers