Dermoid sinus type VI associated with spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome in a French Bulldog

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 Mar;31(2):294-297. doi: 10.1177/1040638719827626. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Abstract

A 4-mo-old French bulldog was presented with acute onset pain and reluctance to move. A tubular structure arising in the dorsal thoracic midline and extending from a cutaneous orifice into deeper tissues was palpated on physical examination. Computed tomography with sinography revealed a dermoid sinus associated with spina bifida at the level of T3-T4. On surgical exploration, the dermoid sinus was found to communicate with the dura. Histology confirmed the diagnosis and classification as a type VI dermoid sinus. The pain response and hyperesthesia were suspected to be the result of tethered cord syndrome. Complete resolution of clinical signs was appreciated post-surgery, with the patient still free of clinical signs 3 mo later.

Keywords: Dermoid sinus type VI; French Bulldogs; spina bifida; tethered cord syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / congenital
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Hyperesthesia / etiology
  • Hyperesthesia / physiopathology
  • Hyperesthesia / veterinary
  • Male
  • Neural Tube Defects / diagnosis
  • Neural Tube Defects / pathology
  • Neural Tube Defects / surgery
  • Neural Tube Defects / veterinary*
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain / veterinary
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / diagnosis
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / pathology
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / surgery
  • Spina Bifida Occulta / veterinary*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary