Human tail with occult spinal dysraphism and dermal sinus in children

Abstract

Human tails or caudal appendages are rare anomalies defined as lumbo-sacrococcygeal skin-covered appendages. They can be classified as true tails (vestigial structures containing normal tissues and not associated with other anomalies) or pseudo-tails (containing different types of normal or abnormal tissues, while associated with other lesions such as lipomas, dermal sinus tract, teratomas, spinal dysraphism, among others). We report a case of a pseudo-tail in a child with spinal cord dysraphism without neurological impairment. Postnatal evaluation was made through magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical repair was performed with dermal sinus ligation, appendage removal, and dysraphism closure using a muscle flap. After 36 months of follow-up the patient has a normal neurologic examination and a favorable cosmetic result. We aim to highlight that although rare, caudal appendages can be associated with spinal dysraphism and other congenital lesions such as dermal sinus or tumors. For that reason, these patients require accurate investigation and appropriate treatment.

Keywords

• Human tail
• Pseudo-tail
• Caudal appendages
• Spinal dysraphism
• Surgery