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An unusual sequelae of an infected persistent dermal sinus tract

Child's Nervous System volume 23, pages 569–571 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Case report

We present a case of a child born with a birthmark over the lumbar spine, which harbored a pinhole-sized opening. At 6 months of age the child presented with fever of unknown origin. Subsequent lower extremity pain resulted in imaging studies that revealed a spinal mass with extension into the posterior mediastinum. At operation, the child was found to have an infected dermal sinus tract.

Discussion

This case highlights the importance of a thorough examination of the midline craniospinal axis in children with fever of unknown origin. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an infected dermal sinus tract with extension into the posterior mediastinum.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, 1600 7th Avenue South Acc 400, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs, W. Jerry Oakes & John C. Wellons III

  2. Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Philip K. Frykman & Carroll M. Harmon

Authors
  1. R. Shane Tubbs
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  2. Philip K. Frykman
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  3. Carroll M. Harmon
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  4. W. Jerry Oakes
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  5. John C. Wellons III
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Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

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Tubbs, R.S., Frykman, P.K., Harmon, C.M. et al. An unusual sequelae of an infected persistent dermal sinus tract. Childs Nerv Syst 23, 569–571 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0216-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0216-2

Keywords

  • Spinal cord
  • Spinal dysraphism
  • Skin