Thoracic bony human tail in a newborn baby: a rare case and review of literature.

BACKGROUND

The dorsal cutaneous appendage or so-called human tail is considered to be a cutaneous marker of underlying occult dysraphism.

CASE PRESENTATION

We are presenting an unusual case of spinal dysraphism with a bony human tail at midthoracic region occurring in a newborn baby with tethered cord (conus at L4). Physical examination was unremarkable except for a thoracic appendage and a dermal sinus over coccyx region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of spine revealed bony outgrowth arising from D7 posterior element with multiple butterfly-shaped vertebrae found at D2 D4 D8 D9 D10 with low-lying conus at L4-L5 level. Surgical excision of the tail and untethering of the spinal cord along with excision of dermal sinus were performed. The infant had an uneventful postoperative period and was unchanged neurologically.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, no similar case has been reported in English literature till date.

DISCUSSION

The specific features of this rare case of human tail treated surgically are discussed in light of the available literature.