FULL TEXT
IMAGES
APSP J Case Rep 2011; Vol. 2 (2)
OPEN
ACCESS
Congenital Midline Cervical Skin Bridge
Bilal Mirza,* Afzal sheikh
Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding Author's E-mail address: blmirza@yahoo.com
APSP J Case Rep 2011; 2: 20
How to cite
Mirza B, Sheikh A. Congenital midline cervical skin bridge. APSP J Case Rep 2011;2:20.
A 6-month-old male infant presented in outpatient department with a congenital skin bridge in midline of the neck region. The bridge was causing difficulty in neck movements. On clinical examination the infant was healthy with a 1x4 cm skin bridge extending from the cervical region at the level of hyoid bone to the suprasternal notch, in the midline (Fig. 1,2). There were no other problems. The skin bridge was excised by making elliptical incisions on either sides of the bridge. The skin beneath the excised skin bridge was slightly thick as compared to the surrounding area (Fig. 3). The thickened skin became normal at 2 months follow-up. Histopathology of the tissue revealed as normal skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Congenital Midline Cervical Skin Bridge
Bilal Mirza,* Afzal sheikh
Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding Author's E-mail address: blmirza@yahoo.com
APSP J Case Rep 2011; 2: 20
How to cite
Mirza B, Sheikh A. Congenital midline cervical skin bridge. APSP J Case Rep 2011;2:20.
A 6-month-old male infant presented in outpatient department with a congenital skin bridge in midline of the neck region. The bridge was causing difficulty in neck movements. On clinical examination the infant was healthy with a 1x4 cm skin bridge extending from the cervical region at the level of hyoid bone to the suprasternal notch, in the midline (Fig. 1,2). There were no other problems. The skin bridge was excised by making elliptical incisions on either sides of the bridge. The skin beneath the excised skin bridge was slightly thick as compared to the surrounding area (Fig. 3). The thickened skin became normal at 2 months follow-up. Histopathology of the tissue revealed as normal skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Website developed by Bilal Mirza
IMAGES
DISCUSSION
Congenital midline cervical skin bridge is an extremely rare entity. It is a benign lesion composed mainly of skin. No major structures like arteries veins or nerves passes through it [1]. Its blood supply can be speculated to come from the skin of suprasternal notch as while excision a small subcutaneous vessel was secured with the suture.
Only one case has been reported in 2008 by Kawar et al. The etiology of congenital midline cervical skin bridge, as suggested by Kawar et al, is failure of resorption of skin and subcutaneous tissue at the time of fusion of neck tissues in the midline or epithelialization of an amniotic band [1]. We believe that occurrence of this anomaly is not a chance fusion of skin as in amniotic bands but results due to specific underlying phenomenon like many other congenital anomalies.
Restriction of neck extension and cosmetic problems are the main indications of the surgery. The case of Kawar et al presented at 3 months age whereas our patient presented at 6 months age. We believe that on account of delayed presentation the skin beneath the bridge became slightly thickened due to failure of neck extension (natural tendency of tissues). After excision of the bridge the skin became normal in texture.
REFERENCES
1. Kawar B, Siplovich L. Congenital midline cervical skin bridge a case report. J Pediatr Surg 2008;43:544-5.
Congenital midline cervical skin bridge is an extremely rare entity. It is a benign lesion composed mainly of skin. No major structures like arteries veins or nerves passes through it [1]. Its blood supply can be speculated to come from the skin of suprasternal notch as while excision a small subcutaneous vessel was secured with the suture.
Only one case has been reported in 2008 by Kawar et al. The etiology of congenital midline cervical skin bridge, as suggested by Kawar et al, is failure of resorption of skin and subcutaneous tissue at the time of fusion of neck tissues in the midline or epithelialization of an amniotic band [1]. We believe that occurrence of this anomaly is not a chance fusion of skin as in amniotic bands but results due to specific underlying phenomenon like many other congenital anomalies.
Restriction of neck extension and cosmetic problems are the main indications of the surgery. The case of Kawar et al presented at 3 months age whereas our patient presented at 6 months age. We believe that on account of delayed presentation the skin beneath the bridge became slightly thickened due to failure of neck extension (natural tendency of tissues). After excision of the bridge the skin became normal in texture.
REFERENCES
1. Kawar B, Siplovich L. Congenital midline cervical skin bridge a case report. J Pediatr Surg 2008;43:544-5.
Received on: 22-05-2011
Accepted on: 08-06-2011
http://www.apspjcaserep.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
Competing Interests: None declared
Source of Support: Nil
Accepted on: 08-06-2011
http://www.apspjcaserep.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
Competing Interests: None declared
Source of Support: Nil