- Discussion:
- local failure of paraxial mesoderm to segment accounts for fused vertebrae;
- Unilateral Bar:
- partial failure of segmentation laterally results in unsegmented bar formation;
- affected side of vertebra involved fails to grow, & growth of vertebrae on side opposite bar may produce scoliosis;
- congenital kyphosis:
- partial failure of segmentation anteriorly results in anterior fusion of vertebral bodies;
- continued growth of the posterior portions of the partially fused vertebrae result in kyphosis;
- hemivertebrae:
- unilateral failure of formation of a sclerotome, failure of medial migration of sclerotomal cells, or failure of differentiation of sclerotomal
cells may result in wedge-shaped hemivertebra & scoliosis;
- Associated Conditions:
- renal anomalies:
- relatively high incidence of renal anomalies is related to the fact that kidney develops from mesoderm adjacent to Somites;
- pulmonary dysfunction;
- cor pulmonale
- back pain;
- kyphosis may result in paralysis from stretched spinal cord.