Coexistence of Subcutaneous Dermoid Cyst and Lipomyelomeningocele

Kim, Young Hoon; Jahng, Tae Ahn; Chung, Chun Kee

Abstract

Although lipomyelomeningocele and dermoid cyst are formed during a similar embryologic developmental stage of 'neural tube formation', they are caused by entirely different embryologic mechanisms. We encountered a case, which has not been previously reported, that had a lumbar subcutaneous dermoid cyst associated with lipomyelomeningocele. A 52-year-old man presented with a slowly growing lumbar mass of 3 years duration, which had been present since birth. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed lipomyelomeningocele at the L3, 4 and 5 levels and a subcutaneous cystic mass of high signal intensity on the T2 weighted image and iso or low signal intensity on the T1 weighted image. He underwent total resection of the lumbar subcutaneous mass. Intraoperative findings and histological examination were consistent with the preoperative diagnosis of a' dermoid cyst.' We demonstrate that the formation of a dermoid cyst might coexist with lipomyelomeningocele during the embryologic developmental stage.