Lateral lipomyelomeningocele of the hemicord with split cord malformation type I revealed by 3D heavily T2-weighted MR imaging

Background: Lipomyelomeningocele (LMMC) is defined by a low-lying tethered spinal cord protruding posteriorly from the spinal canal and terminating in a lipomatous mass in the subcutaneous meningeal sac. The coexistence of LMMC with split cord malformation (SCM) is rare. Clinical presentation: We report on a patient with laterally protruded LMMC arising from the hemicord of SCM type I. Direct coronal and axial views (instead of sagittal views) of 3D heavily T2-weighted MR imaging (3D–hT2WI) clearly demonstrated the topographical relationship between both of the hemicords, the bony septum, and nerve roots in the right subcutaneous meningeal sac. Conclusion: Combined use of axial and coronal images of 3D–hT2W is useful for visualization and surgery of such a complicated anomaly.