Chronic urinary retention revealing an isolated spinal dermoid cyst

Spinal dermoid cysts are congenital lesions. Neurological symptoms are rela ted to the affected area of the vertebral canal. The commonest type involve s the sacrococcygeal area. Lesions of the cauda equina are found which resu lt in sciatic pain, paresis of the bladder and rectum, flaccid paresis of t he legs, and/or sphincter disturbances. The histology is typical and benign . The images on CT and MR provide diagnosis. We report a case of spinal der moid cyst revealed by chronic urinary retention.