Abstract
The human tail is a congenital anomaly with a protruding lesion from the lumbosacrococcygeal
region. A newborn with a tail-like structure over the coccygeal area observed since
birth is presented. Lipoma accompanied by tethered spinal cord were found. In reviewing
the literature from 1960 to 1997, 59 cases were described. Higher incidences of spinal
dysraphism (49.15%) and tethered spinal cord (20.34%) compared with previous reports
were evident. This fact plays an important role in understanding the disturbance of
development and regression of human tails. A new classification according to whether
the anomaly appears in combination with spinal dysraphism is proposed for clinical
usage. Preoperative detailed image studies are needed to clarify the possibility of
tethered spinal cord syndrome developing in the future and thus prevent it. Magnetic
resonance imaging is the modality of choice if available. Long-term follow-up for
possible sequelae after operation, especially in cases with spinal dysraphism, is
necessary.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 2,
1998
Received:
January 5,
1998
Identification
Copyright
© 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
