Foot deformities and occult spinal abnormalities in children: a review of 16 cases.

A retrospective clinical and radiologic study was made of 16 children with foot deformities and associated occult spinal abnormalities in a 3-year period. Eleven children had bilateral foot deformities; the deformities were unilateral in five. Midline cutaneous lesions of the back were noted in 13 children; the most common dermal sign was a hairy patch. All children had radiologic features of spinal dysraphism on combined computed tomography (CT) scan and myelogram. Spinal dysraphism was not considered in the initial assessment of four children. Children with foot deformity should therefore have a careful assessment of the spine, including a neurologic evaluation.