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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 Juster answered
Pediatrics 36 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.
6088 views

Dr. William Goldie answered
Pediatric Neurology 48 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.
6046 views

Dr. Marguerite Barnett answered
Plastic Surgery 42 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.
5886 views
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Last updated Feb 27, 2019
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