A Case of a Tailgut Cyst Associated with Rectal Cancer

Abstract

We report our experience with a case of a tailgut cyst associated with rectal cancer. The patient was a 55-year-old woman. Preoperative CT scan for rectal cancer revealed an irregular-shaped tumor at the retrorectal space. A metastatic lesion to outside of the fascia propria recti was a possibility. However, abdominal MRI identified the tumor as a well-defined multilocular cystic lesion. Tailgut cyst was thus diagnosed and the transsacral approach was employed to remove the lesion.
Tailgut cysts are cystic lesions arisen in the retrorectal space and are rarely associated with rectal cancer. Accordingly we report this case together with some bibliographic comments.