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Tailgut Cyst in a Child: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Ramendra Shukla1, Jay Divyesh Patel2, Sudhir B Chandna1
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, SVP Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Insights
Tailgut cysts are rare congenital presacral masses resulting from incomplete embryonic tailgut involution. Complete surgical excision is recommended to prevent recurrence and potential malignant transformation.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Surgical Pathology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Tailgut cysts are rare congenital anomalies arising from the incomplete involution of the embryonic tailgut.
- These cysts typically present as presacral, retrorectal, multicystic masses, predominantly in female patients, including pediatric cases.
- Clinical presentation varies with patient age, cyst location, and size, often causing mass effect symptoms.
Abstract:
Tailgut cysts are rare congenital abnormalities that develop due to failure of embryologic tailgut to involute. This generally manifests as a presacral, retrorectal and multicystic mass. It has a high propensity in female patients including paediatric age group. The clinical presentation varies depending on the age of patient, location and size of the cyst. The symptoms are mostly due to mass effects and rarely complications such as malignancy. Being a rare entity, it is generally misdiagnosed. Differential diagnosis mostly includes rectal duplication cyst, sacrococcygeal teratoma and anterior meningocele. Radiological imaging such as computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging is useful in the diagnosis. The treatment of choice is complete excision to prevent recurrence, infection and malignant degeneration. We have reviewed previous literature and given our valuable information regarding the same.
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