Abstract
The dorsal cutaneous appendage, or so-called human tail, is often considered to be a cutaneous marker of underlying occult dysraphism. The authors present a case of human tail occurring in a 9-month-old infant with multiple abnormalities of the spinal cord and spine. Examination revealed unremarkable except for a caudal appendage and a dark pigmentation area in the low back. Neuroradiological scans revealed cleft vertebrae and bifid ribbon, split cord malformations, block vertebrae, and hemivertebra. Surgical excision of the tail and untethering the spinal cord by removal of the septum were performed. The infant had an uneventful postoperative period and was unchanged neurologically for 18 months of followup. To our knowledge, no similar case reports exist in the literature. The specific features in a rare case with a human tail treated surgically are discussed in light of the available literature.
Highlights
A human tail is a rare congenital anomaly with a prominent lesion from the lumbosacrococcygeal region
We describe an infant who had combined anomalies, consisting of a human tail and multiple abnormalities of the spinal cord and spine
Certain authors have considered these to be a benign stigma without any cord malformations [3]
Summary
A human tail is a rare congenital anomaly with a prominent lesion from the lumbosacrococcygeal region. Advanced imaging technology in recent decades has allowed a more thorough investigation of these patients and better defined their association with spinal dysraphism and tethered spinal cord [1]. In this case report, we describe an infant who had combined anomalies, consisting of a human tail and multiple abnormalities of the spinal cord and spine. No bony attachment or any voluntary movement was observed in the mass His muscle strength, tone, and sensation were intact with normal reflexes present. With the impression of human tail coexisting with type I split cord malformations, operation of resection of the tail, removing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
