Association of vertebral malformations (hemivertebrae, scoliosis), ribs anomalies (absence or hypoplasia, fusion) and abdominal wall defects that lead to lumbar (at the level of the triangle of Grynfeltt or of Jean-Louis Petit) or subcostal herniation of the abdominal contents. The cause is probably an isolated somatic defect occurring between the 3rd and the 5th week of gestation.

This malformation is present at birth but may go unnoticed and be discovered later when the child cries. A few cases of secondary thoracic meningoceles enclosed in the lumbar hernia have been described.

As the muscle defect grows with the child, it is recommended to close it early in order to ease surgery.

Anesthetic implications:

vertebral anomalies

References:

-        Gupta L, Mala TA, Gupta R, Malla SA.
Lumbo-Costo-Vertebral syndrome with congenital lumbar hernia.
APSPJ Case Rep 2014; 5: 5

-        Muncie C, Ng C, Giles H, Blewett C.
Congenital subcostal hernia in a patient with Lumbo-Costovertebral syndrome, case report and review of the literature.
J Ped Surg Case Reports 2016; 14: 49-51.

-        Wataya T, Horikawa K, Kitagawa M, Tashiro Y.
Thoracic meningocele in lumbo-costo-vertebral syndrome in a child: possible enlargement with repeated motion by anchoring to the diaphragm.
J Neurosurg Pediatr 2016; 18: 183-6

Updated: January 2017