An unusual presentation of lumbosacral dermal sinus with CSF leak and meningitis. A case report and review of the literature.

Dermal sinus tracts are common skin manifestations seen with spinal dysraphism. Most of these dermal sinus tracts occur in the lumbosacral region. Though dermal sinus tracts are a common manifestation, their presentation with CSF leak is rare and important as they predispose to recurrent meningitis along with neurological deficits. Here we present an interesting case of a 33-month-old female child with dermal sinus CSF leak, tethered cord and intradural dermoid who presented with meningitis and was treated with excision of the tract, removal of the dermoid and detethering of the cord. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.