Anterior sacral meningocoele: magnetic resonance imaging and surgical management

Closure of a giant anterior sacral meningocele with an omental flap in a patient with Marfan syndrome: case report

Anterior sacral meningoceles (ASMs) are rare lesions often associated with connective tissue disorders. These lesions are typically treated posteriorly via closure of the dural stalk. However, given their insidious nature, ASMs can be quite large on presentation, and this approach may not provide adequate decompression. In this case report, the authors describe the successful treatment of a large ASM through drainage and watertight closure of the cyst with an omental flap. A 43-year-old woman with a history of Marfan syndrome and a large ASM was referred for neurosurgical intervention. The ASM was filling the pelvic cavity and causing severe compression of the bladder. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the cyst through an anterior transabdominal approach and closure of the fistulous tract with a pedicled omental flap. This is the first reported case of successful closure of an ASM with an omental flap. At the 6-month follow-up, the ASM had not recurred on imaging and the patient's symptoms had resolved. Anterior sacral meningoceles are rare lesions that often require neurosurgical intervention. Although most can be treated posteriorly, large ASMs compressing the abdominal or pelvic organs may require a transabdominal approach. Moreover, ASMs with wide dural stalks may benefit from closure with an omental flap.

Pediatric presacral masses

Various types of masses may affect the presacral area in children. A presacral mass may be congenital or developmental or may arise from inflammation. The mass may have neural, vascular, lymphatic, or mesenchymal origins and may be primary (as in focal disease) or systemic (as in multifocal disease). Because the clinical manifestations of presacral masses are often nonspecific, imaging plays an important role in the detection and differentiation of these masses. Information obtained from imaging is also critical for management, especially for surgical planning. For these reasons, it is important that radiologists be familiar with the anatomy of the presacral region and with the imaging features of the various lesions that may occur in this region in children. For the accurate interpretation of findings, radiologists also must know the specific advantages and limitations of each of the imaging modalities used to evaluate this category of abnormalities.

Surgical strategy for anterior sacral meningocele

A 25-year-old male presented with an anterior sacral meningocele (ASM) manifesting as repeated urinary tract infections. Surgical correction was completed by simple ligation of the thecal sac next to the ostium via sacral laminectomy, and the thickened filum terminale was sectioned. A 22-year-old female presented with an ASM manifesting as transient difficulty in micturition. Subsequent to sacral laminectomy, the thickened filum terminale was sectioned. However, an aberrant nerve root over the ostium made simple ligation hazardous, so that transdural suture around the ostium was carried out. Complete obliteration was confirmed 5 months after the surgery. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging could clearly demonstrate the involvement of neurologically important structures. Surgical strategy for ASM based on neurosurgical considerations is proposed, because of the frequent association of caudal spinal cord anomaly as well as presacral mass lesion. Intraoperative assistance systems such as endoscopy for cyst content examination and neurophysiological monitorings are recommended. Several months follow up with MR imaging is required to confirm successful surgical correction.

Autosomal dominant sacral agenesis: Currarino syndrome

Autosomal dominant sacral agenesis is characterised by a partial agenesis of the sacrum typically involving sacral vertebrae S2-S5 only. Associated features include anorectal malformation, a presacral mass, and urogenital malformation. Together, these features have been defined as the Currarino syndrome. Recently, HLXB9 has been identified as the major causative gene in Currarino syndrome allowing identification of asymptomatic heterozygotes. In this review, we have performed an analysis of medical publications, and our own additional cases, to identify the range of malformations and complications that occur. We have also estimated risks of malformation in heterozygotes by using Weinburg's proband method on families personally known to us in order to provide accurate genetic counselling information.

Surgical repair of a thoracic meningocele in a foal

A 6 week old American Paint filly was admitted for evaluation of a dorsal thoracic mass suspected to be a meningocele. The diagnosis was confirmed by plain and contrast enhanced computed tomography. Surgical repair was performed by dissection of the base of the meningocele followed by ligation. No postoperative complications occurred. Contrast enhanced computed tomography was useful to confirm the diagnosis of meningocele and rule out a meningomyelocele.