[Diastematomyelia--its importance in the treatment of congenital scoliosis].

The risk of neurologic complications following corrective surgery in congenital scoliosis is ten times greater than in idiopathic scoliosis, the main reasons being transfixation of the spinal cord by diastematomyelia or by other adhesions of the spinal cord. Therefore preoperative myelography is advisable in congenital scoliosis. The typical findings from 3 cases of diastematomyelia, as shown by myelography and by operation, are presented. The clinical and x-ray features are shown as well as neurological signs, which are easily overlooked.