True vestigeal tail with lumbosacral meningomyelocoel: a rare case report

Abstract

A human tail is a rare congenital anomaly with a prominent lesion from the lumbosacro-coccygeal region. It is usually classified either as a true tail or as a pseudo-tail. All the lumbosacro-coccygeal protrusions without the evidence of mesenchymal tissue are classified as pseudo-tail. The association of this rare vestigial entity along with meningomyelocele is rarer still.

A congenital pseudotail in a neonate

“…A pseudotail, like in our case, indicates underlying spinal dysraphism. A true human tail has no underlying spinal complications and can be treated with simple surgical excision 2 3. MRI of the spine is required to outline the underlying pathology and help in surgical planning and prognosis.…”