Tailgut cyst: report of three cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Tailgut cysts or retrorectal cystic hamartomas are congenital developmental lesions which are often misdiagnosed due to their rare incidence, anatomical position and variable clinical presentation.

Case report: We report three clinical cases: one of a 67-year old woman with high fever and anal bulging; the second case was a 50-year old woman with diffuse abdominal pain and the third case was a 52-year old woman with high fever and no abdominal or rectal pain. The rectal examination and MRI indicated the presence of a tailgut cyst. In all the cases a complete resection through a posterior perineal route was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a tailgut cyst, with a malignant component identified in the third case.

Discussion: The discussion presents a brief review of the relevant information described in the literature to highlight the cornerstones for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of a tailgut cyst. Tailgut cysts are to be considered in the differential diagnosis of retrorectal or presacral masses as malignant transformation can occur.

Keywords:

• Tailgut cyst
• retro-rectal hamartoma
• malignancy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.