title: Catastrophic intramedullary abscess caused by a missed congenital dermal sinus.
abstract: Congenital dermal sinus (CDS) is a type of occult spinal dysraphism characterized by a midline skin dimple. A 12-month-old girl presented with fever and ascending quadriparesis. She had a midline skin dimple in the upper sacral area that had been discovered in her neonatal period. Imaging studies revealed a holocord intramedullary abscess and CDS. Overlooking CDS or misdiagnosing it as benign sacrococcygeal dimple may lead to catastrophic infection and cause serious neurological deficits. Therefore, further imaging work-up or consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon is recommended following discovery of any atypical-looking dimples in the midline.
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yun-Sik
authors: YS
authors: Dho
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seung-Ki
authors: SK
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kyu-Chang
authors: KC
authors: Wang
authors: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Ji Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Phi
keywords: Congenital dermal sinus; Diagnosis; Intramedullary abscess