J Korean Surg Soc.  2010 Dec;79(Suppl 1):S67-S70. 10.4174/jkss.2010.79.Suppl1.S67.

Tailgut Cyst in a Neonate

• Lee NH

• KMID: 2040557
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2010.79.Suppl1.S67

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 12x23 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.

Keyword

Tailgut cyst; Neonate

MeSH Terms

Adult
Coccyx
Embryonic Structures
Epidermal Cyst
Epithelium
Female
Gastrula
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Rectum
Sacrococcygeal Region
Skin

Figure

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  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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