title: Human tail: nature's aberration.
abstract: Human tail refers to a congenital cutaneous appendix protruding from the lumbosacral region. It is usually associated with an underlying spina bifida occulta, a form of spinal dysraphism. A contiguous fibrolipoma can sometimes be seen extending from the subcutaneous portion of the tail into the inferior spinal cord, resulting in tethered cord syndrome. Management of such lesions includes complete neurologic examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Early diagnosis and microsurgical intervention can prevent development or progression of severe neurologic defects in later life.
authors.affiliation: Kapoor Newborn and Childcare Center, New Delhi, India. diptikumar81@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Akshay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kapoor
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery