Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Catastrophic Intramedullary Abscess Caused by a Missed Congenital Dermal Sinus

  • Dho, Yun-Sik (Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Seung-Ki (Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Wang, Kyu-Chang (Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Phi, Ji Hoon (Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.02.28
  • Accepted : 2014.07.26
  • Published : 2015.03.28
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Abstract

Congenital dermal sinus (CDS) is a type of occult spinal dysraphism characterized by a midline skin dimple. A 12-month-old girl presented with fever and ascending quadriparesis. She had a midline skin dimple in the upper sacral area that had been discovered in her neonatal period. Imaging studies revealed a holocord intramedullary abscess and CDS. Overlooking CDS or misdiagnosing it as benign sacrococcygeal dimple may lead to catastrophic infection and cause serious neurological deficits. Therefore, further imaging work-up or consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon is recommended following discovery of any atypical-looking dimples in the midline.

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References

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