Which type of spina bifida is characterized as "most mild" and often found incidentally?

Spina bifida occulta is considered the most mild form of spina bifida. In this condition, there is a defect in the bony encasement of the spinal cord, but the spinal cord and nerves typically remain intact and function normally. The name "occulta" means hidden, which reflects that this type often does not present visible symptoms or external lesions. As a result, many cases are found incidentally during imaging studies for other reasons rather than through direct clinical manifestations.

The mildness of spina bifida occulta stems from its typically benign nature. While it can be associated with other conditions, most individuals lead normal, healthy lives without significant complications related to the condition. This incidentality and the lack of severe symptoms differentiate it from more serious forms such as meningocele or myelomeningocele, where there are more significant structural issues and potential neurological deficits. Encephalocele, another related condition, involves protrusion of brain tissue through the skull, which poses much greater risks than those associated with spina bifida occulta.