Abstract
Perirectal cystic lesions are rare entities, for which only a relatively few research publications are available. These lesions are heterogeneous in nature and can range from benign lesions to malignant lesions; thus, they are sometimes difficult to differentiate. Some studies have reported on retrorectal or presacral cystic lesions, but to our knowledge, there have been only a few reports on perirectal cystic lesions. Cystic lesions arise from the retrorectal space as well as the rectal lumen or adjacent organ, and they should be differentiated based on their characteristics and anatomic location. Thus, we comprehensively studied diseases with a cystic component around the rectum, which are perirectal cystic lesions. A clinical challenge with perirectal cystic lesions is that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish malignant lesions from benign lesions and is thus difficult to determine the extent for surgical excision. We thus attempted to identify benign and malignant imaging features of perirectal cystic lesions.
Some studies have reported on retrorectal or presacral cystic lesions, but to our knowledge, there have been only a few reports on perirectal cystic lesions. Cystic lesions arise from the retrorectal space as well as the rectal lumen or adjacent organ, and they should be differentiated based on their characteristics and anatomic location. Thus, we comprehensively studied perirectal cystic lesions, which contain cystic a component around the rectum.
Most perirectal cystic lesions are incidentally discovered, and patients can present with a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, perforation, intussusception, and intestinal bleeding (1). Because of the non-specificity of the associated symptoms, perirectal cystic lesions are frequently overlooked.
Diagnosis of perirectal cystic lesions had been difficult because of the non-specific radiologic features and symptoms. However, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow evaluation of the entire intestinal wall layer and the perirectal tissue, thus facilitating further characterize these lesions (2). In particular, as MRI can accurately show the perirectal anatomy, it has a high radiologic diagnostic value (2). Thus, MRI has primarily been used to study perirectal cystic lesions.
Perirectal cystic lesions are heterogeneous in nature and range from benign lesions to malignant lesions, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish. The clinical issue is if a perirectal cystic lesion should be considered malignant, what imaging features indicate malignancy, and thus to what extent should surgical excision be performed (3). In this study, we differentiate the imaging features of two categories of perirectal cystic lesions, malignant and non-malignant lesions, and identify the image characteristics of each category by showing and discussing the CT and MRI findings.
During embryogenesis, the tailgut is the most caudal part of the hindgut distal to the future anus. It normally involutes by the eighth week of embryonic development. If a tailgut remnant persists, it may become a tailgut cyst (3). It is usually a discrete and well-defined mass of variable attenuation, as seen on CT depending on its contents (Fig. 1). A calcified cystic wall may be observed. On MRI, a tailgut cyst is usually multilocular and has low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (Fig. 2). However, it may have high signal intensity on T1-weighted images due to the presence of mucinous materials, high protein content, or hemorrhage in the cyst (3).
The majority of perirectal abscesses are caused by the spread of disease from adjacent structures, with an anorectal inflammatory condition the most common cause of abscess.
Rectal perforations, iatrogenic causes, adjacent cutaneous infection, and trauma are additional causes of abscess.
Abscesses are fluid collections, shown as well-defined areas of low attenuation (<18 Hounsfield units) (45). In the enhanced image, ring enhancement can be observed on CT and MRI. Secondary findings include obliteration of adjacent tissue planes containing gas bubbles and air-fluid levels (4) (Fig. 3).
Epidermoid cyst is a benign congenital lesion of ectodermal origin. It develops from an ectodermal tissue remnant that is mislaid during embryogenesis due to defects in the development of adjacent structures (8). An epidermoid cyst can be observed throughout the body,
but is rare in the perirectal region (9). On CT images, an
epidermoid cyst generally appears as thin-walled, cystic
masse with fluid density, and it may contain calcification
(10). it may show high attenuation on precontrast CT scan,
possibly due to a high protein content, previous bleeding, or
deposition of iron-containing pigments (10).
A dermoid cyst results from the abnormal closure of the
ectodermal tube in the embryogenesis and is lined with
stratified squamous epithelium. A dermoid cyst contains
skin appendages and may, thus, include variable amounts
of the fatty component (10) (Fig. 6). On CT images it is
generally round and well-circumscribed, with a thin outer
wall. MRI can be used to enable detection of the fat
component of the dermoid cyst demonstrating increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images and decreased
signal intensity with fat-suppression techniques (12).
Intramural hematoma of the gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon and mostly caused by blunt trauma (13). However, 15-36% of intestinal intramural hematomas are spontaneous, and unrelated to hematologic disorders or anticoagulant use (13).
Most intestinal intramural hematoma patients present with obstructive signs (13), yet some of these patients possibly have abdominal symptoms due to rupture of the hematoma into the abdominal cavity (13).
CT scan is accurate for detecting gastrointestinal wall hematomas. On CT images, intramural hematomas are delineated as well-defined, hyperdense homogeneous masses (14). Unlike other gastrointestinal neoplasms, hematomas usually do not have calcification and do not infiltrate other organs (14) (Fig. 7).
Diffuse cavernous hemangioma is a rare, benign vascular abnormality consisting of an extended network of vascular channels involving the entire enteric wall, which can infiltrate the adjacent connective tissue. A history of chronic rectal bleeding in a young patient can be a clinical clue.
On colonoscopy, diffuse cavernous hemangiomas are usually soft, submucosal lesions that are purple and collapse on insufflation.
On CT images, these lesions are observed as circumferential, with enhanced wall thickening of the involved rectal segment as well as vascular engorgement within the nearby mesorectum. Multifocal, calcified, intralesional phleboliths may be the most integral sign for the identification of rectal hemangioma (Fig. 8).
On MRI, diffuse cavernous hemangioma shows high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in a markedly thickened rectal wall, considered to be caused by the slow flow of the vascular network. Additionally, the perirectal fat may demonstrate heterogeneous signal intensity on T2-weighted images due to the small, twisted feeding vessels.
Colitis cystica profunda is an uncommon benign condition characterized by mucin-filled cysts in the submucosa and is frequently associated with the solitary ulcer and rectal prolapse syndromes (15). The diagnosis of this entity is crucial as it can mimic rectal cancer and, may thus result in unnecessary surgical resection.
On CT images, the lesions have been described as non-infiltrating submucosal masses with loss of perirectal layers of the fatty tissue and thickening of the levator ani muscle (16) (Fig. 9). MRI findings demonstrated submucosal hyperintense nodules on T2-weighted images with no remarkable contrast enhancement (16).
Primary extracranial meningioma is a rare disease, occurring mostly in the head and neck. The reported incidence is less than 2% of all meningiomas (17). A primary extracranial meningioma occurrence in the perirectal area is even rarer and its pathogenesis is unclear (18).
The radiologic findings of primary extracranial meningioma are known to be similar to intracranial meningioma.
On CT images a primary extracranial meningioma demonstrates lobulated contour, heterogeneous enhancement with or without internal calcification (19) (Fig. 10). It can show central areas of a cystic/necrotic portion. The vascularity in the pelvis is lesser than the vascularity of the brain, so primary extracranial meningioma in the perirectal area is less perfused and more necrotic (18).
Rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma is a histologic subtype that represents 5-15% of all rectal cancers (20). Mucinous adenocarcinoma is characterized by an abundance of extracellular mucin that exceeds 50% of the tumor stroma as determined with histopathologic examination (21). They are known to be associated with benign inflammatory conditions such as perianal abscesses, and Crohn's disease (22).
CT findings suggesting a mucinous adenocarcinoma include a multilocular cystic mass with peripheral calcification (23). MRI features indicating a mucinous adenocarcinoma include masses filled with markedly hyperintense content, as seen on T2-weighted images, enhancing solid components, mesh-like internal enhancement, contrast enhancement of peripheral structures or peritumoral areas, and regional areas of lymph node enlargement (23) (Fig. 11).
Malignant transformation of the epithelial component of a tailgut cyst has only been reported on rare occasions (24). Malignancies that have been reported within a tailgut cyst include adenocarcinomas, carcinoid tumors, neuroendocrine carcinomas, endometrioid carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and sarcoma (2526). If malignant transformation occurs, CT may reveal the loss of discrete margins and involvement of contiguous structures (27) (Fig. 12). Additionally, a malignant change within a cyst may be observed as an irregular wall thickening or a polypoid mass with intermediate signal intensity, as observed on T1- and T2-weighted images with enhancement after the IV administration of paramagnetic contrast material (2829).
A mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with a chronic fistula-in-ano is rare, and the diagnosis is often difficult (30). The absence of a tumor within the intestinal lumen and the slow growth of a lesion hidden within the ischioanal fossa and perineum make early diagnosis difficult (31).
MRI features of a fistula-in-ano include masses filled with markedly hyperintense content on T2-weighted MR images, enhancing solid portion, mesh-like enhancement pattern, a fistula between the lesion and the anus, enhancement of peritumoral areas, and regional areas of lymph node enlargement (32).
A primary retroperitoneal teratoma with malignant transformation is extremely rare in adults, and that of extragonadal origin is even rarer and has been reported in the anterior mediastinum, stomach, brain, retroperitoneum, and sacrococcygeal region (3334). As teratomas with malignant transformation are usually chemoresistant and recurrence is common, complete surgical resection of the residual or recurrent disease thus appears to offer the best path to prolonged patient survival (33).
On CT and MRI, benign and malignant teratomas cannot be consistently distinguished according to size or the presence of a solid mass. Suggestive findings of the presence of malignant transformation are irregular wall thickening of the cystic area and extension into the adjacent structures, as demonstrated on CT and MRI (33)
(Fig. 14).
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal and are the most common nonepithelial tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs occur most commonly in the stomach (60-70%) followed by the small intestine (20-25%); however, GISTs in the rectum are extremely rare (5%). It was reported that GISTs account for 0.6% of all malignant rectal tumors (35).
The CT features of GISTs vary markedly, depending on the size and aggressiveness of the tumor and the time of presentation during the course of the disease. GISTs are typically large, hypervascular, enhancing masses and are often heterogeneous due to necrosis, hemorrhage, or cystic degeneration at the time of their presentation (36). Rectal GISTs generally manifest as large, eccentric masses growing beyond the rectal wall (34).
A perirectal cystic lesion may be a diagnostic challenge because of its non-specific symptoms and radiologic findings. The presence of a solid component in a cystic lesion and invasion into adjacent structures are key imaging findings of malignancies that distinguish them from benign lesions, except for teratoma and primary extracranial meningioma. Teratoma and extracranial meningioma are exceptional as solid components cannot be used to distinguish benign and malignant.
Key imaging findings for perirectal cystic lesions and comparison of benign and malignant lesions are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
Proper evaluation of the imaging findings combined with clinical evaluation yields diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between benign and malignant perirectal cystic lesions.
Figures and Tables
References
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