A 7–day old infant has a leaky meningomyelocele. The most useful test for diagnosis and management of the condition is –

Most cases of meningocele are recommended for treatment as soon after birth as possible. In the case of a sac which is leaking fluid, the treatment is most urgent. Generally, treatment includes a surgical procedure to close and remove the soft tissue covering of back. As there are chances of bacterial meningitis and sepsis due to CSF leak, CSF and blood sample should be send for culture and sensitivity and peri-operative antibiotics (broad spectrum) can be changed to the specific antibiotics after the blood and CCF culture and sensitivity report.