The
dermal sinus tract (DST) is an infrequent form of
spina bifida occulta that can be complicated by
infections. This is a case report of a child with a rare association of DST complications, namely hydromyelia and intramedullary
abscess. A 1-year-old male child was admitted to the hospital with a history of
fever and progressive loss of lower-limb movements and the presence of an ostium in the midline of the lumbar region and cutaneous stigmas with no secretion discharge. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracolumbar spine revealed an extensive intradural T12-S1
abscess and cystic dilatation of the central medullary canal (hydromyelia) from T2 to T12. The surgery was conducted with the drainage of the large
abscess and also improving hydromyelia. After 30 days of rehabilitation with
physical therapy, the child could walk despite right crural
monoparesis (possible L4/L5 injury). This report described a case of DST that showed a rare association of two complications, i.e., intramedullary
abscess and hydromyelia, due to a late diagnosis. Sequelae could have been prevented with early diagnosis.