Undiagnosed adult diastematomyelia associated with neurological symptoms following spinal anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia is a safe, routinely performed procedure. However, in patients with lumbar cutaneous abnormities or deformities of the lower extremities, a previously undetected spinal anomaly may be present. In such patients, it may be prudent to avoid central neuraxial block to prevent neural damage. This instructive case presents such an adult patient in whom previously undiagnosed diastematomyelia, low conus and tethered cord was discovered only in the assessment of postspinal neurological symptoms.