OBJECTS: In this study, a disjunction anomaly mimicking the spinal congenital dermal sinus (DS) is described. This anomaly is referred to as the dermal-sinus-like stalk. Dissimilarities between a true dermal sinus and a dermal-sinus-like stalk are discussed. CLINICAL MATERIAL: Three cases in which a spinal congenital dermal sinus was suspected are presented. A similar anatomical configuration, different from that of a dermal sinus, was found. All cases presented with a skin-covered dimple from which a solid tract was seen continuing intramedullary in two cases and intraspinally in one case. None of the patients presented with signs of infection or an associated dermoid-epidermoid tumor. Clinical, radiological, and surgical findings are discussed. A hypothesis is made on the pathological genesis of this malformation. CONCLUSION: A dermal-sinus-like stalk is a malformation similar to a spinal congenital dermal sinus but is not associated with DS-related complications. Despite important clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathological differences, it is difficult to distinguish this malformation from a true DS based on clinical and radiological examination alone. Therefore, surgical intervention, at the time of diagnosis, is recommended in all cases.
OBJECTS: In this study, a disjunction anomaly mimicking the spinal congenital dermal sinus (DS) is described. This anomaly is referred to as the dermal-sinus-like stalk. Dissimilarities between a true dermal sinus and a dermal-sinus-like stalk are discussed. CLINICAL MATERIAL: Three cases in which a spinal congenital dermal sinus was suspected are presented. A similar anatomical configuration, different from that of a dermal sinus, was found. All cases presented with a skin-covered dimple from which a solid tract was seen continuing intramedullary in two cases and intraspinally in one case. None of the patients presented with signs of infection or an associated dermoid-epidermoid tumor. Clinical, radiological, and surgical findings are discussed. A hypothesis is made on the pathological genesis of this malformation. CONCLUSION: A dermal-sinus-like stalk is a malformation similar to a spinal congenital dermal sinus but is not associated with DS-related complications. Despite important clinical, radiological, surgical, and histopathological differences, it is difficult to distinguish this malformation from a true DS based on clinical and radiological examination alone. Therefore, surgical intervention, at the time of diagnosis, is recommended in all cases.
Authors: Juan F Martínez-Lage; María José Almagro; Belén Ferri-Ñiguez; Virginia Izura Azanza; Cristina Serrano; Ernesto Domenech Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2010-10-27 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Cameron Schmidt; Ellie Bryant; Joe Iwanaga; Rod J Oskouian; W Jerry Oakes; R Shane Tubbs Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2017-06-15 Impact factor: 1.475