No abstract available.
Spina Bifida Occulta*

213 adult subjects, children of veterans exposed to herbicides sprayed during Ranch Hand Operation (in 1961-1971 war period) and 210 non-exposed subjects were investigated by usual lumbar X-ray. The images showed that spina bifida occulta incidence in exposed group was 1.5 times higher than non-exposed group. Among male subjects, in exposed group, the incidence was 1.7 times higher than non-exposed one, while among female subjects, no difference was recorded. Simple single bifida was 51.6% in exposed group and 41.9% in non-exposed. Multiple vertebra of combinated bifida was 7.9% and 2.4% respectively. The common sites of bifida were L5, S1, S2, S3, among them the site of S1 was most common
Spina Bifida Occulta ; Herbicides ; Child

Cervical spondylolysis is a rare condition, and less than 100 cases have been reported in the world literature. Cervical spondylolysis is defined as a well corticated defect in the posterior element of a cervical vertebra. Although the etiology of cervical spondylolysis is unknown, its association with dysplastic changes and spina bifida occulta suggest that the lesion is congenital. Here, we describe the radiographs and CT images of cervical spondylolysis involving four levels in a 9 year old boy.
Child* ; Humans ; Male ; Spina Bifida Occulta ; Spine ; Spondylolysis*

Congenital cranial dermal sinus is one of the causes of meningitis in pediatric patients. In spite of its rarity, this entity should be considered when a child has meningitis of unexplained origin. Authors report a case of congenital cranial dermal sinus in a 15 month old girl who presented with recurrent meningitis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; Spina Bifida Occulta*

Congenital dermal sinuses result from a failure of separation of the cutaneous epithelial ectoderm from the neuroepithelial ectoderm along the dorsum of the embroy during the first month of intra-uterine life. These sinus tracts can occur at any level of the cerebro-spinal axis, but are located predominantly in the occipital and lumbosacral regions and occasional cases involving the cervical and thoracic regions. The dermal sinus tract is lined by stratified squamous epithelium and extends from the surface through the deeper tissues into the cranial or spinal cavity, usually ending on the dura or within the dura in conjunction with a terminal epidermoid or dermoid cyst. An intra-medullary epidermoid or dermoid with a dermal sinus is an unusual association. We have been able to find a previously reported coincidence of these malformations although there are many definitive papers on these uncommon entities. We are experienced in one case who are 14 months old boy with a intra-medullary dermoid cyst associated with a congenital dermal sinus at the T4 level, and reviewed related reports.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Dermoid Cyst* ; Ectoderm ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Infant ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Spina Bifida Occulta*

Recurrent episode of meningitis in infants and children frequently constitute a frustrating and distressing, both in determination of course and treatment. The authors are reporting a infected case of congenital dermal sinus with dermoid cyst in the subarachnoid space of cauda equina and conus medullaris which was cured after complete removal of cyst and sinus tract.
Cauda Equina ; Child ; Conus Snail ; Dermoid Cyst ; Humans ; Infant ; Meningitis ; Spina Bifida Occulta* ; Subarachnoid Space

Spinal congenital dermal sinus (CDS) is a rare entity which supposedly results from the failure of the neuroectoderm to separate from the cutaneous ectoderm during the process of neurulation. The lesions are most frequent at the lumbosacral followed by the occipital region. CDS of the thoracic region is very rare. The patients with spinal CDS present with meningitis and/or mass effect from the associated inclusion tumor. They are usually dermoid or epidermoid cysts. Teratoma is rarely associated. The authors experienced 5 cases of spinal CDS over a 10 year period. Of the 5 cases, 2 were at thoracic and 3 were at lumbosacral levels. Dermoid cyst, epidermoid cyst and teratoma were associated in one case each. Two cases presented with neurological deficit and meningitis while an additional case presented with neurological deficit and a history of probable meningitis. Pain was present in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging played an important role in the diagnosis of the lesion and planning of surgery. All the cases showed a good response to surgery even though one patient had persistent neurological deficit.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Spina Bifida Occulta/diagnosis/pathology/*surgery

PURPOSE: Sacral cutaneous lesions in newborns are associated with numerous spinal abnormalities. Early detection is important, because spinal abnormalities may cause neurological symptoms. Radiologic screening tests have been performed on newborns with sacral cutaneous lesions. This study aimed to substantiate the associations between sacral cutaneous lesions and spinal abnormalities. METHODS: From January 2007 until November 2013, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 743 newborns with sacral cutaneous lesions that included sacral dimples, which were deeper than 5 mm and situated further than 2.5 cm from the anus, deviated gluteal furrow, hairy patch, hemangioma, dyspigmentaion, and the presence of mass, and skin tag. RESULTS: 743 newborns with sacral cutaneous lesions were examined, including 24 newborns with abnormal ultrasonographic images. Tethered cord which affected 18 (2.4%) of the newborns, was the most commonly found spinal abnormaility. Of these 9 newborns had other spinal abnormalities in addition to tethered cord including lipoma, cyst, spina bifida occulta, lipomyelomeningocele, and dermal sinus tract, and 9 newborns had isolated tethered cord only. Other spinal abnormalities found included isolated lipoma (3 newborns, 0.4%), and subarachnoid cyst (2 newborns, 0.3%), and of the 2 newborns (0.3%) who had dermal sinus tract, 1 also had a lipoma and the other also had a tethered cord. Normal variants included coccygeal pit (43 newborns, 5.8%), and ventriculus terminalis (10 newborns, 1.4%). Of the 646 newborns with isolated sacral cutaneous lesion, 11 (1.7%) had abnormal ultrasonographic images, and of the 97 newborns with combined sacral cutaneous lesions, 13 (13.4%) had abnormal ultrasonograpic images. CONCLUSION: Sacral cutaneous lesions in newborns can be associated with spinal abnormalities, and the strongest marker of spinal abnormality is a combined lesion. Therefore, ultrasonography should be performed on newborns who present with sacral cutaneous lesions to detect and investigate any underlying spinal abnormalities.
Anal Canal ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lipoma ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spina Bifida Occulta ; Ultrasonography

We have experienced a case of dup (3q) syndrome in the neonate who had a multiple congenital anomalies of hypertrichosis, hypertelorism, upslanting palpaberal fissures, anteverted nostrils, long philtrum, micrognathia, downturned corners of the mouth, highly arched palate, short, webbed neck, clinodactyly, rocker-bottom feet, dermal sinus. Cytogenetic studies showed a duplication 3q21-->qter regions. Chromosome study of relatives is extremely important for counseling because only 25% of cases represented de novo duplications. We reported the case with the review of the associated literatures.
Counseling ; Cytogenetics ; Foot ; Humans ; Hypertelorism ; Hypertrichosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Lip ; Mouth ; Neck ; Palate ; Spina Bifida Occulta

Intramedullary spinal abscesses are rare and potentially devastating lesions. The first case of spinal abscess was described in 1830 and fewer than 100 cases have been reported subsequently. Only sixteen previous reports have described an intramedullary abscess of the central nervous system secondary to a dermal sinus. Involvement of the entire cord is thus exceedingly rare. We present a case of a 7-month-old girl who had rapidly progressing quadriplegia with urinary and bowel retention and was found to have an intramedullary abscess as a result of a dermal sinus. Spine MRI shows thick irregular ring enhancement appeared within the broadest area of the spinal cord on the thoracic and lumbar area on mid thoracic level to L3 and high cervical area which extended to medulla. Immediate decompressive surgery and antibiotic treatment were performed. Excellent clinical outcome was obtained with a combination of medical and surgical management. Complete neurological assessment and diagnostic study of all patients with a congenital dermal sinus are very important. Prophylatic surgery is indicated in many cases to prevent dangerous and recurrent infections of the central nervous system.
Abscess ; Central Nervous System ; Humans ; Infant ; Quadriplegia ; Retention (Psychology) ; Spina Bifida Occulta ; Spinal Cord ; Spine