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Tailgut cyst: diagnosis with CT and sonography
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|December 1, 1986
Summary
Tailgut cysts are rare congenital presacral masses with gastrointestinal epithelium. Imaging reveals complex masses with keratinous debris, requiring inclusion in retrorectal mass differential diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Tailgut cyst is a rare congenital lesion presenting as a presacral mass.
- It is characterized by multiple cysts lined with gastrointestinal epithelium.
- These cysts can be found in infancy or remain undetected until adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the imaging characteristics of tailgut cysts.
- To evaluate the utility of CT and sonography in diagnosing tailgut cysts.
- To emphasize the importance of considering tailgut cysts in the differential diagnosis of retrorectal masses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of five patients with tailgut cysts.
- Ages ranged from 1 month to 42 years.
- Imaging modalities included CT (three cases) and sonography (two cases).
Main Results:
- Tailgut cysts appeared as complex masses on both CT and sonography.
- Imaging demonstrated multiple small cysts filled with keratinous material and debris.
- Other features included well-defined borders, potential midline lateral presentation, and preserved fat planes on CT.
Conclusions:
- Tailgut cysts present as complex presacral masses with characteristic imaging findings.
- CT and sonography are valuable tools for identifying tailgut cysts.
- Tailgut cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any retrorectal mass, regardless of patient age.