Rudimentary meningocele presenting with a scalp hair tuft. Report of two cases

Rudimentary meningoceles represent a developmental anomaly in which meningothelial elements are found in the skin. The majority of rudimentary meningoceles occur on the scalp over the occiput or along cranial suture lines. They are usually recognized at birth and present as a pink papule or nodule or an area of alopecia.

We present two patients who presented with a scalp hair tuft at birth over a rudimentary meningocele. This finding has not been previously reported.

Rudimentary meningoceles are uncommon developmental anomalies that are of clinical importance due to the occasional presence of connection to the central nervous system. Due to this potential for central nervous system connection, any midline lesion in an infant, including midline hair tufts, deserves careful preoperative evaluation including imaging studies.