Pediatric Neurosurgery
Case Report
Human Tail and MyelomeningoceleLin P.-J.a, e · Chang Y.-T.b · Tseng H.-I.c · Lin J.-Y.b · Huang Y.-S.b, dDepartments of aNeurology, bSurgery and cPediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, dDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medical School, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, and eDepartment of Neurology, E-Da Hospital and I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Article / Publication Details
Received: December 28, 2005
Accepted: July 19, 2006
Published online: July 12, 2007
Issue release date: July 2007
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 5
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1016-2291 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0305 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PNE
Abstract
The human tail is rarely reported and is usually associated with underlying spina bifida occulta. A male newborn presenting a caudal appendage (human tail) with skin-covered myelomeningocele and tethered cord is described. Surgical excision of the human tail and repair of the myelomeningocele were performed 3 days after birth. After the operation, the patient had an uneventful convalescence and received follow-up at our outpatient clinic without any neurological sequelae. To our knowledge, no similar case report exists in the literature. Like other skin-related lesions in the lumbosacral area, the present case of caudal appendage with myelomeningocele is only a cutaneous sign of underlying spinal dysraphism since the skin and nerve system are related by their similar ectodermal origin. After excision of the tail and repair of an underlying lesion, long-term follow-up of the neurological status is warranted.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Received: December 28, 2005
Accepted: July 19, 2006
Published online: July 12, 2007
Issue release date: July 2007
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 5
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1016-2291 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0305 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PNE
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