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Cervical dermal sinus complicated with intramedullary abscess in a child: case report and review of literature.
Eur Spine J. 2013 Aug 3;
Authors: Nicola Z, Antonio C, De Tommasi A
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dermal sinus tract (DST) is an uncommon spinal dysraphism presenting in childhood along the midline neuroaxis. Cervical DST less frequent is in association with intramedullary abscess.
METHODS: A 9-month-old baby was admitted to our unit suffering from right hemiparesis. Physical examination showed a cervical midline cutaneous fistula dripping a yellowish thick liquid. Cervical MRI showed at C5 level a sinus tract in continuity with a C3-C6 intramedullary lesion. Total removal of the fistula and the intramedullary lesion was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermal sinus and abscess.
RESULTS: Post-operative cervical MRI showed a complete removal of the spinal dysraphism, fistula, and intramedullary abscess. The baby showed a progressive clinical improvement and was discharged on day 10 post-surgery.
CONCLUSION: Literature review confirms that an early diagnosis followed by prompt surgical spinal cord decompression gives a functional neurological recovery.
PMID: 23907309 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23907309?dopt=Abstract
