Surgical Treatment of Congenital Dermal Sinus: An Experience of 56 Cases

This study aims to assess the impact of early diagnosis and surgery on children with congenital dermal sinus, investigate the relationship between MRI findings and extent of surgical exploration, and summarize our clinical experience with the surgical management in cases with central nervous system (CNS) infection.

The skin features, preoperative MRI images, intraoperative findings, postoperative pathological characteristics, and prognoses of 56 children with congenital dermal sinus were analyzed retrospectively.

All the children had a pinpoint ostium in the skin, and 52 out of the 56 children (92.9%) had intraspinal dermoid cysts or epidermoid cysts. Before surgery, MRI did not show intraspinal lesions in 13 children, and surgery revealed intradural lesions in 9 of these children (69.2%). Among 46 children without CNS infection, 16 children had neurological impairment before surgery. After surgery, recovery was complete in 36 children, partial in 9 children, and absent in 3 children. All children with CNS infection had neurological impairment before surgery. After surgery, the condition improved in 8 children and exacerbated in 2 children. Children without CNS infection had statistically significantly better prognosis than children with CNS infection (p = 0.03).

A pinpoint ostium in the dorsal midline is the characteristic feature of congenital dermal sinus. In cases without intraspinal lesions on MRI, the spinal canal should be explored intraoperatively to ensure complete removal of the lesion and prevent recurrences. In cases without CNS infection, early diagnosis and timely surgery are beneficial to the recovery of nerve function.