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A 24-year-old female asked:
Why is there squishy puffiness at the base of my spina bifida child's spine? he had a tethered cord surgery 4 years ago and it's around the scar.
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Cindy Justeranswered
Pediatrics 37 years experience
Difficult to say.: It's hard to say without examining him. It could be anything from keloid to infection; please have his doctor see him this week.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. William Goldieanswered
Pediatric Neurology 49 years experience
Three causes: Most common is associated lipoma (fat collection). This is usually benign. Next is bulging of the sack around the base of the spinal cord that often collects fluid when the child stands and when he cries or tightens the tummy. The third cause may be loose tissue around the surgery site with poor closure of the incision. The surgeon can determine easily which is present.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Marguerite Barnettanswered
Plastic Surgery 43 years experience
Spinal puffiness: It is very common to have fatty deposits (lipoma) at the base of the spine in spina bifida. Another cause can be collections of spinal fluid under the skin.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 27, 2019
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