Follow-up After Surgery for Dermal Sinus Tracts in Children

Frequency of Office Visits

• Extended follow-up for signs of recurrence: Routine follow-up includes serial neurological examinations and neuroimaging through puberty and beyond. Spinal intramedullary dermoid cysts and abscesses may recur and require further surgery (2, 18).

Frequency of Imaging

• Frequent if infection: If a spinal abscess was present, spinal MRI is performed every 2 weeks during antibiotic therapy, then monthly for the first 3 months after discharge, then every 3 months for a year, then yearly.
• Yearly after dermoid removal: In tumor cases, if total resection has been done, yearly MRI is advised. If tumor resection is incomplete, MRI is recommended at shorter intervals.

Other Investigations Required

• Urological: Urological evaluation is mandatory if urological problems are identified.