Journal List > J Korean Surg Soc > v.79(Suppl 1) > 1011233

Lee: Tailgut Cyst in a Neonate

Abstract

Tailgut cysts are rare congenital lesions thought to arise from vestiges of the tailgut/postanal gut, which is a primitive gut temporarily present at the most caudal portion of the embryo. The lesions are usually multilocular cysts lined by various types of epithelium in the retrorectal space. We experienced a tailgut cyst in an 18-day-old girl initially presented as an epidermoid cyst like skin lesion in the coccygeal region. MRI showed a well-defined multiloculated cystic mass between the rectum and coccyx, measuring 12×23 mm and markedly hyperintense on T2 weighted images and hypointense on T1-weighted images. The cyst was surgically removed via a posterior sagittal approach and microscopically lined by ciliated columnar, transitional and squamous cells. Tailgut cysts are usually found in adult females, and extremely rarely in neonates. We report a tailgut cyst in a neonate with a review of the literature.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Photograph shows a subcutaneous epidermoid cyst-like lesion in the coccygeal region.
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Fig. 2
Ultrasonography shows a multiseptated cystic mass abutting the coccyx.
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Fig. 3
Axial MR images show a multiloculated cystic mass in the retrorectal space, which is markedly hyperintense on T2-weighted images (A), and hypointense on T1-weighted images (B), respectively.
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Fig. 4
The microscopic pathologic finding shows multiloculated cysts, which are lined by ciliated columnar, transitional and squamous cells (H&E stain, ×100).
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