Congenital dermal sinus (CDS) and occult spinal dysraphism are suspected when a cutaneous marker overlies the spine of a newborn. CDS can have the appearance of a simple dimple and occur within the gluteal cleft without any skin markers. CDS are the commonest cause of intramedullary spinal cord abscess.
Keywords: dermal sinus; occult spinal dysraphism; spinal cord abscess.
© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2014 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).