Spinal dysraphia and elongated spinal cord in adults.

Spinal dysraphia with stretching of the spinal cord is usually diagnosed in the adolescent or young-adult patient. Two types of the condition are distinguished: a stretched spinal cord with an intradural lipoma, and a stretched spinal cord with both an intra- and extradural lipoma. The pathogenesis of the condition and mechanical role of the lipoma and the late appearing neurological signs are presented.