• Zelletta Nicola, Calace Antonio, and Antonio De Tommasi.
• Dipartimento di Neurochirurgia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Piazzale Giulio Cesare, Bari, 70124, Italy, nicolazelletta@yahoo.it.
• Eur Spine J. 2014 May 1;23 Suppl 2:192-6.

BackgroundDermal sinus tract (DST) is an uncommon spinal dysraphism presenting in childhood along the midline neuroaxis. Cervical DST less frequent is in association with intramedullary abscess.MethodsA 9-month-old baby was admitted to our unit suffering from right hemiparesis. Physical examination showed a cervical midline cutaneous fistula dripping a yellowish thick liquid. Cervical MRI showed at C5 level a sinus tract in continuity with a C3-C6 intramedullary lesion. Total removal of the fistula and the intramedullary lesion was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermal sinus and abscess.ResultsPost-operative cervical MRI showed a complete removal of the spinal dysraphism, fistula, and intramedullary abscess. The baby showed a progressive clinical improvement and was discharged on day 10 post-surgery.ConclusionLiterature review confirms that an early diagnosis followed by prompt surgical spinal cord decompression gives a functional neurological recovery.

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