Presacral epidermal cyst found in an adult male with a high CEA content: report of an unusual case

A Rare Case of Presacral Epidermoid Cyst in an Adult Male: Emphasis on Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Sequences in Preoperative Imaging

Epidermoid cyst of the presacral space is a rare congenital lesion of ectodermal origin. Presacral epidermoid cysts have been previously reported in women, however are extremely rare in males. We report a case of presacral epidermoid cyst in a 55-year-old male who presented to our emergency department with acute urinary retention and history of chronic constipation. A non-contrast computed tomography scan was performed with suspicion of urolithiasis, which revealed a well circumscribed low attenuation presacral mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis was subsequently performed to further characterize the lesion. The mass was returning hypointense T1 and hyperintense T2 signals with few foci of T2 hypointensities. There was no post-contrast enhancement; however the lesion was showing diffusion restriction, appearing hyperintense on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and hypointense on the corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient map. These imaging features were consistent with an epidermoid cyst. Laparotomy with complete surgical excision of the cyst and preservation of the adjacent structures was performed. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of MRI with additional sequences of diffusion weighted imaging which can be helpful to differentiate, to a good degree of confidence, among different pelvic tumors, therefore obviating the need of biopsy before surgery.

Presacral epidermoid cyst in a male: a case report and literature review

Presacral cysts are an uncommon entity most often found incidentally in women. These tumors can arise from any of the 1 or more cell lines present in the presacral space during embryogenesis. We present a case of a 46-year-old male patient who was found to have a well-circumscribed presacral mass on computed tomography (CT) scan, which was obtained for his complaint of vague lower back pain. He underwent transabdominal excision, and pathology revealed a presacral epidermoid cyst filled with keratinaceous material. Presacral cysts are rare, especially in male patients. These tumors originate from an embryologic error during development. Because of the risk of infection and malignant transformation, they should be excised. Surgical options include a posterior approach, transabdominal approach, combined approach, or transrectal approach. The approach is dictated by the tumor size, location, presence of malignancy, and bony invasion.

Retrorectal epidermoid cyst in an elderly woman: report of a case

An epidermoid cyst is a common occurrence in the skin. Such a cyst occurring in the retrorectal space, however, is extremely rare. We herein present a case of retrorectal epidermal cyst in a 67-year-old Japanese woman. She reported no symptoms and a perirectal mass behind the lower rectum was accidentally detected by computed tomography (CT). Contrast CT and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass (76x70x63 mm) with a slightly enhanced thin wall which was attached to the lower rectum. The patient underwent surgery via a posterior approach. The mass was exposed after an excision of subcutaneous fat and was firmly adhered to the anal sphincter muscle. The cystic mass was completely removed without a proctectomy. Histologically, the cyst was diagnosed to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 9. A diagnosis of retrorectal cystic tumor is difficult, and a complete resection is necessary for the treatment of such tumors.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from a presacral epidermoid cyst: CT and MR findings

We report CT and MRI findings in a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a presacral epidermoid cyst, which has not been previously reported. CT findings revealed a focal wall thickening of the anterior wall of the huge presacral cystic mass. The squamous cell carcinoma was more hypointense than the cystic fluid on T1- and T2-weighted images and showed heterogeneous enhancement on contrast enhanced T1-weighted image.

Tératome bénin mature pré-sacré et formations kystiques vestigiales rétro-rectales chez l’adulte

Benign mature presacral teratomas or dermoid cysts occur rarely in the adult; the incidence is estimated at less than 1/40,000. They are considered to be retrorectal vestigial growths from embryonal rests; they are usually asymptomatic and discovered by chance. However, since they have a 20-30% risk of secondary infection and a 1-12.5% risk of malignant degeneration, they should undergo complete surgical resection. We present a case of presacral dermoid cyst in a young male and summarize the diagnostic and therapeutic management.

A carcinoembryonic antigen-secreting adenocarcinoma arising within a retrorectal tailgut cyst: clinicopathological considerations

Retrorectal tailgut cysts (TGC) develop from postanal fetal gut remnants. They have specific radiological and histopathological features that distinguish them from dermoid cysts, enteric duplication cysts, and teratomas. We report a patient with a carcinoembryonic antigen-producing adenocarcinoma arising within a TGC who underwent resection through a combined anterior laparotomy/posterior pelvic approach. Despite complete resection and delayed but complete functional recovery, diffusely metastatic disease was encountered 6 months after resection. Diagnostic, therapeutic, histopathological, and oncological implications of this illustrative case are discussed. It seems possible to use carcinoembryonic antigen measurements for treatment planning and for assessing treatment response for this rare disease. The described outcome also suggests that TGC can develop malignant degeneration and should be resected at the time of diagnosis.

Presacral epidermoid cyst: report of a case

An asymptomatic tumor in the pelvis was incidentally found by ultrasonography in a 67-year-old woman while being examined after presenting with a common cold. Further examinations revealed a presacral cystic tumor, which measured 10 x 12cm in size. The cyst was thus removed in the normal manner for such cases. The pathological diagnosis was an epidermoid cyst. An analysis of 15 other cases previously reported in the literature indicated that large epidermoid cysts should normally be excised through an abdominal approach alone, provided that the tumor is benign.