Thoracic myelomeningocele, dermal sinus tract, dermoid. [Neuroradiology] [US] [MR]

Otherwise healthy newborn with "abnormal back finding."

Ultrasound shows, underneath the back "mass," a defect of the posterior spine through which the spinal sac protrudes.

MRI confirms the defect and spinal sac protrusion. Additionally, there was some tissue that was thought to represent neural placode within the herniated sac. There was no obvious fat-containing mass within to suggest dermoid by imaging.

Surgery showed absent T6-T7 spinal lamina with a fibrous tract extending from the back of the spinal cord to the skin surface. Hair and other skin-related debris extruded from the tract as it was opened. The entire fibrous tract and its contents were removed.