Dermal sinus tract associated with type I and type II split cord malformation

Abstract

The dermal sinus tract of the spine is associated with other occult spinal dysraphisms, such as the split cord malformation (diastematomyelia) in a 40% of the cases and embryologically is not clearly defined if the dermal sinus and split cord malformation have origin in gastrulation or late primary neurulation, but the most accepted theory of the dermal sinus tract consists in early incomplete disjunction, which explains the relation with other spinal dysraphisms. Here, we present two cases, with a dermal sinus tract of the spine associated with Type I and Type II split cord malformation.

Jarcho-Levin syndrome with diastematomyelia and a dorsal dermal sinus

“…A dorsal dermal sinus is a tract with an epithelial lining that extends to varying depths into the underlying structures, often terminating in the thecal sac. Spinal dorsal dermal sinus tract is a rare congenital dysraphism affecting approximately 1 in 2500 live births [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] . JLS with a lumbar dorsal dermal sinus and a tethered spinal cord has been previously reported [3] .…”

“…In our case, spinal ultrasound demonstrated a sinus tract communicating the skin to the dural sac as well as associated diastematomyelia. In fact, 40% of cases of dermal sinus tract of the spine are associated with other occult spinal dysraphisms, including diastematomyelia [ 17 , 19 ]. However, this case is the first reported of JLS with diastematomyelia and dorsal dermal sinus.…”