Lumbar dermoid cyst causing aseptic meningitis

Dermoid cysts are rarely occurring intramedullary spinal cord tumors and they develop due to the inclusion of epithelial elements during closure of the neural tube. They may be detected in the medulla spinalis region extending from cervicomedullary junction to conus medullaris. Spontaneous and iatrogenic rupture of the dermoids causes recurrent meningitis by discharging their contents into subarachnoid space. The purpose of this report is to consider spinal dermoid cysts in the differential diagnosis of young patients with the findings of aseptic meningitis to avoid misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.