Imaging of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common solid tumor in neonates. Malignant sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors also occur in infants and children. Diagnostic imaging studies help confirm the diagnosis of a clinically palpable sacrococcygeal mass, determine its relationship to other structures, and detect metastases. Despite the relative frequency of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors, characteristics of these lesions as evaluated with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have received little attention in radiologic literature. We outline important clinical information, review the spectrum of manifestations of these tumors with traditional imaging studies, and illustrate the value of CT and MR imaging for diagnosis and staging of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors.