Butterfly Mark

Congenital midline vascular lesions usually raise questions about occult spinal dysraphism, but so far the literature is inconclusive. Some authors suggest isolated midline port wine stains and medial telangiectatic vascular nevi ("butterfly marks") are benign and do not require further evaluation. Occult dysraphism is much more likely if two markers are present, so this appearance in combination with another finding should lead to imaging. As an isolated finding, the need for evaluation is debatable.

photo by Janelle Aby, MD