title: Composite split cord malformation associated with a dermal sinus tract, dermoid cyst, and epidural abscess: A case report and review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Split cord malformation (SCM) is typically present at a single level but rarely, may be present at multiple levels in the spinal cord and can be associated with a wide array of lesions such as myelomeningoceles, lipomas, teratomas, and dermal sinus tracts (DSTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a case of a 15-month-old female child who presented with high-grade fever and progressive motor weakness in the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of SCM along with an epidural abscess, DST, and dermoid cyst. The child underwent surgery for excision of DST along with removal of the dermoid cyst and drainage of epidural abscess. The postoperative course was uneventful. Elective repair of the SCM was performed 4 weeks later. The postoperative course was uneventful again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of our knowledge, the combination of a composite SCM with a DST and dermoid cyst with associated epidural abscess has rarely been reported in literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azeem
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahzad
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Muhammad Zubair
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Tahir
keywords: Dermal sinus tract; dermoid cyst; empyema; split cord malformation