title: Tumors and malformations of the caudal spinal axis.
abstract: The early development of the neural tube has been well studied in animals and humans. After axial determinants have been accomplished the processes of primary and secondary neurulation take place. Successful completion results in a spinal cord that has arisen from primary neurulation and a lower sacro-coccygeal portion from secondary neurulation. The latter region is the site of numerous skin-covered clinical lesions, which include tumors and malformations. A listing of selected features in 764 cases of skin-covered sacrococcygeal lesions is presented. The manner in which these lesions arise and the potential for genetic factors being responsible is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash 98105, USA. ron.lemire@seattlechildrens.org
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lemire
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Pendergrass
authors.forename: J Bruce
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Beckwith
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ellenbogen
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors