Possible genetic correlation of an occipital dermal sinus in a mother and son. Case report

Brain abscess as a manifestation of spinal dermal sinus

Dermal sinuses have been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to drainage of purulent material from the sinus tract, inclusion tumors, meningitis, and spinal abscess. To date, there has been no documented report of brain abscess as a complication of spinal dermal sinus. Here, we report an 8-month-old girl who was presented initially with a brain abscess at early infancy but lumbar dermal sinus and associated spinal abscess were discovered afterwards. The probable mechanisms of this rare association have been discussed.

Mirror movement associated with neural tube defects

OBJECTIVE

Association of mirror movements with special kinds of neural tube defects, particularly cranial dermal sinus and cervical myelomeningocele, is extremely rare. We have tried to explain the probable pathophysiology underlying this rare condition.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Two cases are presented. Case 1: A right-handed 3-year-old boy brought to the outpatient clinic for evaluation of mirror movement had been operated on at 10 days of age to repair a cervical myelomeningocele. At examination, mirror movements were observed on both sides. Case 2: A right-handed 7-year-old boy referred for vertigo and occasional vomiting since 3 months of age. The mirror movements were present in the upper extremities, and reportedly had existed since early childhood. Brain magnetic resonance imaging disclosed the dermal sinus, tract, and midline dermoid tumor.

CONCLUSION

To describe a meaningful association between mirror movements and congenital abnormalities in 2 cases reported here, we propose development of an abnormality in the cervical spinal cord (case 1) and cervicomedullary junction (case 2) associated with gross anomalies in the affected areas.

Double dermal sinuses: a case study

Introduction

Dermal sinus tracts are rare congenital lesions located in the midline characterized by a cutaneous pit or dimple. They occur all along the midline neuroaxis, from the nasion and occipital area down to the lumbar and sacral regions, most frequently in the lumbar and lumbosacral region.

Case presentation

Here we report a 5-year-old girl who presented with occasional headache. There were two dimples, one on the dorsal aspect of her head and another on her neck.

Conclusion

Dermal sinuses are almost always singular and the co-existence of double dermal sinuses has not been reported previously.