We report a challenging diagnosis and the successful management of a rare case of intracranial dural chondroma in a 19-year-old student. He was admitted for secondary epilepsy with behavioral and mood disorder without neurological deficit. His past medical history was unremarkable. The patient was initially taken, by his parents, to the psychiatry department, where medical treatment was prescribed. The cerebral MRI was done, and based on the extra-axial, left fronto-parietal lesion found. Plus, the nonspecific aspect of the clinical findings, the radiological investigations did not help for a straight forward diagnosis orientation. The patient underwent surgery and promptly recovered after the gross total resection of the tumor.

The occipital encephalocele is a rare homozygous congenital malformation, linked to the C677T gene according to Molloy et al [1,2]. In relation to a defect in the closure of the cranial part of the neural tube during intrauterine life, it is therefore defined such as a hernia of the nervous tissue (part of the cerebellum) and / or the meninges through a bone defect in the occipital region. Its incidence is 0.8 to 3.0 per 10,000 births (sex ratio of 0 girls to 9 boys) according to some studies. It can be meningocele (only meninges), encephalocele (only brain tissue) or meningoencephalocele (brain tissue and meninges). Etiologically, several factors have been implicated in their occurrence. According to Lemire and Robert L, these factors act for some malformations during neurilation, i.e., between the first 30 days of gestation and the closure of the posterior neuropore, and for others in the post-neurilation period. Young maternal age and multiparity are also associated with neural tube defects. Clinically, it varies in size ranging from a small tumefaction or even a large painless mole mass covered with skin tissue [1-3].

Myeloschisis (rachischisis) is a rare congenital malformation linked to incomplete development of the spine and characterized by posterior opening of the vertebrae [1,2]. It is spread over more than one floor or even the entire spine and incompatible with life. Its diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging [2]. This anomaly in its thoracic location is rare. There are two types: Segmentation and development defects [4]. Developmental defects include hemi vertebrae and failure of neural tube fusion which in turn includes the simple cleft of the posterior arch of the vertebrae (spina bifida) [3]. It can involve one or more vertebral arches, determining extensive spinal dysraphism. Certain factors favor their appearance. According to the literature, only one article published in 1972 by Levy et al, which reported an incidence of 0.01% of thoracic spina bifida [3]. We report the case of a 33-day-old female infant born at term in breech presentation, with a pregnancy that was not well followed. There was a notion of taking fenugreek during pregnancy. Hospitalized for meningitis, with a dysmorphic face, clinically presented a dorsolumbar spina bifida (Figure 1). She had received antibiotic therapy and regular dressings since her admission. A cerebral-medullary scan was performed and showed a progressive opening of the spinous processes from the cervical and dorsal spine, more marked at the height of the spinous process of the fourth dorsal vertebra to distality, with issue of meningeal structures and spinal cord. Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.