Congenital skin lesions in occult spinal dysraphism--what is typical?]

Occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) includes a group of spinal malformations covered by intact skin. Neurological sequelae include paresis and sensory deficits in the lower limbs, neurogenic bladder and bowel disturbances, pain and neuro-orthopaedic syndrome as well as a high risk for secondary neurological deterioration. In up to 80 % of the cases, OSD is accompanied by lumbosacral skin anomalies. In this article, an overview on the main forms of OSD and characteristic skin lesions is given, which can guide the clinician to early diagnosis and appropriate diagnostic work-up and, if necessary, therapeutic intervention.