Congenital pterional dermal sinus in an 18-month-old child: case report.

Abstract

Congenital dermal sinus tracts most frequently occur in the midline and are often associated with dermoid or epidermoid inclusion cysts. A lateral cranial origin is extremely rare and anatomically inconsistent with an etiology involving closure of the rostral neural tube during embryogenesis. We describe the first case of a pterional cranial dermal sinus tract associated with a small epidermoid, with extension to the dura of the anterior cranial fossa. The extra- and intracranial portions of the tract were visualized and resected with the use of an operating microscope. Pathological diagnosis confirmed dermal sinus tract. We review the existing literature and address the developmental and clinical features pertinent to the management of cranial dermal sinus tracts, emphasizing the need for exploration of these potentially harmful lesions.