Congenital cervical dermal sinus tract caused tethered cord syndrome in an adult: a case report

Abstract

The objective of this study was to report on a 34-year-old woman who presented with tethered cord syndrome due to dermal sinüs tract. A 34-year-old woman had got dermal sınüs tract admitted to our hospital with swelling on the neck, pain and numbness on the left upper limb. She was treated by surgical removal of dermal sinuses and untethering the spinal cord which is stretched by the dermal sinus. Congenital dermal sinus tracts are uncommon types of cranial and spinal dysraphisms. They can occur in the midline of the craniospinal axis from the occiput to the sacral region. For dermal sinuses, cervical region is very rare location that is reported in the literature. They are diagnosed usually in childhood with skin signs, neurological deficits, local infections and meningitis. We present a rare case of dermal sinus tract located in cervical region. Early diagnosis and treatment of cervical dermal sinus tract are important to prevent neurological deficits.

Keywords: Neuroscience; Signs and symptoms.

Figure 1

Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple occult spinal dysraphism at the level of C5-6-7.

Figure 2

Spinal cervical magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation showed postoperative imaging.