Open spinal dysraphism

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Open spinal dysraphism with a myelomeningocele

ORPHA:93969Morphological anomaly

Also called MMC · Myelomeningocele

What it is

A rare form of spina bifida cystica (saccular, open neural tube defect (NTD)) characterized by a non-neurulated spinal cord (neural placode) on the surface of the cystic extension of dysplastic meninges (non-epidermised posterior meningocele). The spinal cord extends through a spina bifida (posterior vertebral defect) with typically everted or parallel laminae. Nerve roots are connected to the borders of the neural placode and are visible inside the sac. Myelomeningocele is characteristically associated with a Chiari II malformation. It can be either isolated or associated with split cord malformation.

Key facts

Age of onset
Infancy, Neonatal
Inheritance
Multigenic/multifactorial, Not applicable
Classified as
Morphological anomaly

ICD-10 codes

Q05.0filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 1 other rare disease
Q05.1filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 1 other rare disease
Q05.2filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 2 other rare diseases
Q05.3filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 2 other rare diseases
Q05.4filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 1 other rare disease
Q05.5filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 1 other rare disease
Q05.6filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 1 other rare disease
Q05.7filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 2 other rare diseases
Q05.8filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 2 other rare diseases
Q05.9filed under a broader ICD-10 category — shared with 5 other rare diseases

ICD-10 has no distinct code for most rare diseases, so many are filed under the nearest available one. A shared code identifies the group, not this disease — the ORPHAcode above is what identifies it.

Related health topics

Spina BifidaHydrocephalus

Reached through the ICD-10 categories this disease is filed under, so these describe the broader group rather than this disease specifically.

Benefit programs to look at

Monthly Allowance for Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Spina BifidaVETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATIONAABD Cash AssistanceIdahoACL Assistive TechnologyADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL)ACL Assistive Technology State Grants for Protection and AdvocacyADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL)ACL Centers for Independent LivingADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL)ACL Independent Living State GrantsADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL)Adult Day CareTexas · also in 5 other statesAdult Day Care ServicesOregon

Programs whose eligibility touches the same ICD-10 categories. Eligibility is decided by the administering agency, never by this page.

Cross-references

GARD 3475MONDO 0019773UMLS C5781264

Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Data version 2026-06-23. Available under CC BY 4.0. This is a reference, not medical advice.

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