title: Cervical dermal sinus complicated with intramedullary abscess in a child: case report and review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermal sinus tract (DST) is an uncommon spinal dysraphism presenting in childhood along the midline neuroaxis. Cervical DST less frequent is in association with intramedullary abscess.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 9-month-old baby was admitted to our unit suffering from right hemiparesis. Physical examination showed a cervical midline cutaneous fistula dripping a yellowish thick liquid. Cervical MRI showed at C5 level a sinus tract in continuity with a C3-C6 intramedullary lesion. Total removal of the fistula and the intramedullary lesion was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermal sinus and abscess.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-operative cervical MRI showed a complete removal of the spinal dysraphism, fistula, and intramedullary abscess. The baby showed a progressive clinical improvement and was discharged on day 10 post-surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Literature review confirms that an early diagnosis followed by prompt surgical spinal cord decompression gives a functional neurological recovery.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neurochirurgia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Piazzale Giulio Cesare, Bari, 70124, Italy, nicolazelletta@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Zelletta
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nicola
authors.forename: Calace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antonio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Tommasi
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*
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