Midline cutaneous anomalies of the craniospinal axis

Abstract

Patients with midline cutaneous anomalies of the craniospinal axis can be indicative of underlying embryonic defects, such as neural tube defects. Lack of familiarity with these midline aberrant skin findings may lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. In this review, midline cutaneous anomalies of the craniospinal axis including aplasia cutis congenita, cranial and spinal dysraphism, and other developmental anomalies are explored in detail with emphasis on cutaneous clues to the diagnosis and appropriate workup.

Keywords: aplasia cutis congenita; cranial dysraphism; craniospinal axis; cutaneous neural heterotopias; dermoid cyst; midline cutaneous anomalies; nasal glial heterotopia; pediatric dermatology; spinal dysraphism.