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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 1994 | Volume
: 60
| Issue : 1 | Page : 47-48 |
Fauntail naevus
Sandipan Dhar
Correspondence Address:
Sandipan Dhar
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
Two cases of Faun-tail naevus are presented. Both the patients had clinical and radiological evidence of bifid 5th lumber spine. However, neither of them had any neurological complications.
Keywords: Fauntail Naevus
How to cite this article:
Dhar S. Fauntail naevus. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1994;60:47-8 |
| Introduction | |  |
Fauntail naevus has been described as a rare developmental defect comprising of hypertrichosis overlying a spinal dysraphism, most commonly occuring over lumbosacral region. [1] The associated bone and spinal cord defects are spina bifida and splitting of the spinal cord respectively. [2] We report herein 2 cases seen by us recently.
| Case Report | | |
Case 1. A 4 1/2-year-old girl presented with a tuft of hair over the lower back since birth. The condition was asymptomatic and produced only cosmetic disfigurement. Past medical history including developmental milestones was normal. Family history was noncontributory.
Examination revealed a tuft of darkly pigmented hair on the midline overlying the lumbosacral junction. The tuft of hair formed 2 taillike cords, one going upwards, another downwards [Figure - 1]. A firm skin coloured nodule was present at the root of upper cord [Figure - 2]. The clinical observation of bony defect of 5th lumber spine was supported by radiological evidence of split of 5th lumber spine. There was no sensory or motor weakness over lower extremities, no bowel or bladder incontinence.
Case 2. A 7-year-old girl was brought with the complaints of a tuft of hair over lumbosacral region. History and clinical examinations were similar as in case 1. However, there was a single `tail' of hair going downwards and there was no swelling at the base. There was clinical and radiological evidence of split of 5th lumber spine as in case 1. This patient also did not have any neurological deficit.
| Discussion | | |
Several types of skin lesions have been described at the base of fauntail naevus viz., dimple, lipoma, pigmented macule, portwine stain, skintag and dermoid cyst. [3] There may be absence of subcutaneous fat or dermal collagen at the site of tuft of hair . [4] In this case the cutaneous nodule at the root of faun-tail was clinically suggestive of solitary neurofibroma. Skin biopsy was however, refused by the parents of the girl.
Though, fauntail naevus is totally asymptomatic in infancy and childhood, several complications are known to develop during adolescence or adult life. These are backache, foot drop, nocturnal enuresis, paraplegia etc. [5]Though, operation for spina bifida is recommended when neurological, urological or orthopaedic symptoms appear or progress after, infancy, [3] there may be a role of preventive surgery at the time of diagnosis of this condition. [6]
| References | | |
| 1. | James CC, Lassman LP. Spinal dysraphisman orthopaedic syndrome in children accompanying occult forms. Arch Dis Child 1960; 35 : 315-7.  [PUBMED] |
| 2. | Thursfield WRR, Ross AA. Faun-tail (sacral hirsuties) and diastematomyelia. Br J Dermatol 1961; 73: 328-30. |
| 3. | Artherton DJ. Naevi and other developmental defects. In : Textbook of Dermatology (Champion RH, Burton JL, Ebling FJG, eds), 5th edn, vol 1. Oxford : Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1992; 517-8. |
| 4. | Adams RD, Neurocutaneous disease. In Dermatology in General Medicine (Fitzpatrick TB, Eison AZ, Wolf K, et al, eds), 2nd edn. New York : McGraw Hill book company, 1987; 2093. |
| 5. | Harding Rains AJ, Mann CV. Bailey and Loves Short Practice of Surgery. London English Language Book Society, 1988; 451. |
| 6. | Maston DD, Woods RP, Campbell JB, Ingraham FD. Diastematomyelia (congenital cleft of the spinal cord) : diagnosis and surgical treatment. Pediatrics 1950; 6 : 98-101. |
Figures
[Figure - 1], [Figure - 2]
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