Ruptured thoracic intraspinal dermoid cyst in a patient with skeletal abnormalities of thoracic spine – A case report

Abstract Spinal dermoids are congenital multi- or unilocular benign cystic tumors lined by squamous epithelium containing skin appendages. The tumours become acutely symptomatic following infection or rupture. We present a very rare case of ruptured thoracic spinal dermoid cyst in a 12 year old girl with congenital vertebral abnormalities, who presented with back ache of recent onset and a 5 year history of unnoticed slipping of footwear while walking. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals a lesion in the thoracic spine with fat droplets in bilateral frontal horns of lateral ventricle and cisterns of brain. Other additional findings were also noted.