J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2021 May;64(3):374-379. 10.3340/jkns.2021.0021.

Junctional Neurulation : A Junction between Primary and Secondary Neural Tubes

• Kim KH
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2515493
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2021.0021

Abstract

Recent case reports of junctional neural tube defect (JNTD) which is a peculiar type of spinal anomaly showing the functional disconnection of the primary and secondary neural tubes has risen interest in the process of junctional neurulation (the connection between the two neural tubes) during development. This article summarizes the clinical features of the JNTD and reviews the literature on the basic research on junctional neurulation.

Keyword

Junctional neurulation; Junctional neural tube defect; Neurulation

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Spinal MRI of Juntional neural tube defect patient. (a) Normal looking spinal cord in mid-thoracic level. The upper spinal cord tapered abruptly at T10. (b, c) The spinal cord narrowed and seemed to be a very thin band between T10 and L2. (d) The thin band expanded into the comparatively normal shape of the spinal cord and the conus from L2 and downward. Showed low-lying conus, at S2 and fatty filum. Reprinted from Wang et al. [19] with permission from Springer Nature.

Reference

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