title: Paucisymptomatic Dermoid Cyst with Fatal Outcome.
abstract: Dermoid cysts of the central nervous system can cause devastating complications because of the mass effect of meningitis due to sinus tract. We report the case of a 5-month-old girl who presented with a crusted lesion of the occipital region of the scalp. Clinical examination noted skin abnormalities suggestive of occult dysraphism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recommended, however, 40 days after this evaluation, and before the MRI could be performed, the girl presented with neurologic complications. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of dermoid cyst was made after the onset of severe complications that led to her death. The findings in this case emphasize the importance of more prompt MRI evaluation, particularly in cases where cranial or spinal dysraphism is suspected to have any connection to the skin as a pit or tract. Should we perform an urgent MRI for any cutaneous sign of dysraphism to avoid a dramatic evolution?
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. Khadija@sellami.com.
authors.forename: Khadija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sellami
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hend
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chaabane
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hela
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fourati
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Abderrahmen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masmoudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zeineb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mnif
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Madiha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mseddi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hamida
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turki
mesh_terms: D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014416:Tunisia