Cutaneous lesions in occult spinal dysraphism—correlation with intraspinal findings

Objects This study was conducted to investigate the frequency and type of cutaneous stigmata in different forms of occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) and their correlation to the underlying malformation. Methods Fourteen different forms of spinal malformations were identified in 358 operated patients with OSD. Most frequent findings (isolated or in combinations) were spinal lipoma, split cord malformation, pathologic filum terminale, dermal sinus, meningocele manqué, myelocystocele and caudal regression. Stigmata were present in 86.3% of patients, often in various combinations. Using a binary logistic regression analysis, significant correlations with distinct malformations were found for subcutaneous lipomas, skin tags, vascular nevi, pori, hairy patches, hypertrichosis, meningoceles and “cigarette burn” marks. Conclusions Cutaneous markers in a high percentage accompany spinal malformations. Due to the correlations of different stigmata to distinct malformations, they can aid the clinician in further diagnostic and therapeutic work.