Dermal sinus and intramedullary spinal cord abscess. Report of two cases and review of the literature

Childs Nerv Syst. 1999 Apr;15(4):202-6; discussion 207-8. doi: 10.1007/s003810050370.

Abstract

Intramedullary abscesses of the spinal cord are uncommon. Most of them occur in association with heart, pulmonary or urogenital infections. We report two cases of intramedullary spinal cord abscesses secondary to congenital dermal sinus. Only 14 cases of such an association have previously been reported. In our cases, dermal sinus was associated with an epidermoid tumour. The clinical presentation, pathogenesis, magnetic resonance imaging findings, surgical management and outcome are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / complications*
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / pathology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Epidermal Cyst / complications*
  • Epidermal Cyst / pathology
  • Epidermal Cyst / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Paresthesia / etiology
  • Recovery of Function
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / complications*
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents