A midline dermal sinus may be a sign of an underlying neural tube dysraphism.
Location of a dermal sinus:
(1) nose
(2) occipital scalp
(3) dorsal back overlying the spine
Features:
(1) located in the midline
(2) may be draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
(3) may be draining pus if infected
(4) may show a small tuft of hair
The patient may have a history of recurrent bacterial meningitis
The sinus should not be probed.
Imaging studies should be performed to see if there is an underlying skeletal defect.
