Lateral congenital spinal dermal sinus. A new clinical entity

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Developmental Biology
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Spinal dermal sinuses are congenital malformations that can lead to neurological complications.
• Typically, these sinuses present with midline skin markers.
• Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent secondary infections and neurological deficits.

Observation:

• This report details two pediatric cases of spinal dermal sinuses.
• A key characteristic was the unusual location of the cutaneous dimples, situated off the midline in the gluteal region.
• This presentation deviates from the commonly observed midline cutaneous manifestations.

Findings:

• The described cases highlight a rare variant of spinal dermal sinus presentation.
• The off-midline gluteal location of the dimples poses diagnostic challenges.
• Congenital spinal anomalies can manifest with atypical surface findings.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of atypical presentations is necessary for timely diagnosis of spinal dermal sinuses.
• Radiological evaluation should be considered even with off-midline cutaneous markers.
• Understanding variations in congenital spinal malformations improves clinical management strategies.