Sacrococcygeal teratoma in children: a diagnostic challenge

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is relatively rare. Its characteristic appearance, location and size usually leave little doubt as to the diagnosis, but the less obvious ones may occasionally give rise to diagnostic difficulty. Four cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma in children are reported. One neonate presented with a large protuberant swelling at the sacrococcygeal area, with no diagnostic difficulty. The second neonate presented with a small paraxial sacral swelling with an overlying haemangioma. The third patient presented with a small tail-like appendage at the natal cleft. A properly performed rectal examination in both the second and third patients disclosed the diagnosis. The fourth patient presented with an anocutaneous fistula and partial sacral agenesis with no external sacrococcygeal swelling. The diagnosis was confirmed with computerized tomography. While the diagnosis of the protuberant sacrococcygeal teratoma presents no difficulty, that of the less obvious cases requires a high index of clinical suspicion. A properly performed rectal examination supplemented with appropriate imaging allows the diagnosis to be made.