Diagnostic steps and staged operative approach in Currarino's triad: a case report and review of the literature

Treatment Strategy for Currarino Syndrome Complicated With Anorectal Stenosis

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to review the treatment experience and outcomes of Currarino syndrome (CS) complicated with anorectal stenosis to evaluate the current treatment strategies.

METHODS

Seven cases of CS complicated with anorectal stenosis, treated at our hospital between 1998 and 2021, were retrospectively investigated. This is a case series article from a single institution.

RESULTS

In six and three cases and one case, the presacral mass was a mature teratoma, meningocele, and lipoma, respectively. Resection of the lesion was performed in all six cases of mature teratoma, and duraplasty was performed before resection in all three cases of meningocele. Moreover, surgery for anorectal stenosis was performed simultaneously in four patients. Surgery was performed for six cases of anorectal stenosis, with the remaining case relieved by dilation using a metal bougie. The surgical methods used were a partial resection with end-to-end anastomosis, anorectal strictureplasty, pull-through, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, and cutback after mass resection. Pathological analysis of the anorectal stenoses revealed disorganized and rough smooth muscle fibers and the replacement of the stroma by an increased quantity of collagen fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical outcomes of CS can be improved by establishing a treatment flow chart and understanding the complicated pathophysiology of the disease.

Managing Recurrent Teratoma in Currarino Syndrome

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a recurrent presacral tumor in Currarino syndrome. Currarino syndrome is a rare disease usually found in childhood with a triad of sacral agenesis, anorectal malformation, and presacral tumor. However, it can often remain undiscovered until adulthood. Currarino syndrome is generally diagnosed during childhood in the setting of recurrent meningitis and is often suspected when there is a family history. Occasionally, it is diagnosed in adulthood through incidental imaging or due to investigations for back pain and chronic constipation. MRI is the recommended imaging modality in this disease process, as it can better help differentiate soft tissue. The tumor can be resected through either the transabdominal approach or the posterior approach (Kraske procedure). We present a 52-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with Currarino syndrome when she was one year old due to recurrent meningitis and surgical resection of a presacral mass and was asymptomatic until she developed back pain and constipation. Her symptoms were investigated with an MRI, revealing a recurrence of a presacral tumor, and she subsequently underwent a Kraske procedure. The patient is currently under annual surveillance, and the residual tumor has remained stable. There are currently no surveillance guidelines after resection of a presacral tumor in Currarino Syndrome. However, follow-up surveillance should be considered.

Complete Currarino Triad Presenting With Chronic Constipation

Currarino syndrome (CS) is a congenital disorder that is characterized by the triad of anorectal malformation, sacrococcygeal anomalies, and a presacral mass. The inheritance of CS is autosomal dominant. Chronic constipation is the most common symptom of CS. MRI is considered the most sensitive test to diagnose CS. The report describes an eight-month-old baby girl who presented with chronic constipation. Physical examination showed abdominal distension and anal stenosis. Plain radiographs and MRI revealed sacrococcygeal abnormalities with a presacral mass. A patient was diagnosed with Currarino syndrome and managed surgically with excision of the presacral mass and an anorectoplasty via a posterior sagittal midline incision.

Postoperative complications and long-term outcomes in Currarino syndrome

PURPOSE

This study aimed to present ten cases of Currarino syndrome, study their postoperative complications and prognosis, and analyze whether patient background and clinical factors influenced outcomes.

METHODS

Ten patients with Currarino syndrome who were followed up at our institution between 2004 and 2020 were enrolled. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed for clinical details, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

The incidence of early postoperative complications was 80%, most of which were transient dysuria. The dysuria significantly developed in the higher normal sacral vertebra (p = 0.024) and the complete type of Currarino syndrome (p = 0.033). Later, intractable constipation requiring rectal irrigation and intractable dysuria requiring clean intermittent catheterization occurred in 40% and 30% of the patients, respectively. There was a tendency for tethered cord syndrome (p = 0.076), and the height of the normal sacral vertebra (p = 0.071) was related to intractable constipation. The height of the normal sacral vertebra (p = 0.05) and the tumor size on the image (p = 0.012) were significantly higher and larger, respectively, in the group with intractable dysuria than in the group without intractable dysuria.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative complications, especially early ones, occur at a high rate. Long-term intractable constipation and dysuria may be influenced by the degree of sacral dysplasia.

Currarino syndrome - a pre and post natal diagnosis correlation: case report and literature review

Currarino syndrome is an uncommon genetic disease, with autosomal dominant inheritance, that is characterized by sacrococcygeal bone defect, presacral mass and anorectal malformation. There are many cases only diagnosed in adulthood, but early diagnosis is important to avoid life-threatening complications and to reduce morbidity, but it requires a high suspicion index and a multidisciplinary approach. If it is an unknown disease in the family, prenatal diagnosis is rare but possible. We discuss a case report of Currarino syndrome with an early diagnosis through fetal magnetic resonance imaging, studied during pregnancy for prenatal diagnosis purposes which showed similar defects in fetus spine and in the asymptomatic mother. We emphasize the inclusion of this rare syndrome in the differential diagnosis of fetal neural tube defects and caudal regression syndrome. The recognition of at-risk subjects should lead to better planning of pregnancies and appropriate management of affected children at birth.

Currarino syndrome in an adult woman

Currarino syndrome is a hereditary disease characterized by the triad of sacral agenesis, anorectal malformation, and presacral mass. Most patients are diagnosed in childhood, and this condition rarely manifests in adulthood. In women, gynecological malformations associated with Currarino syndrome have been reported, such as bicornuate uterus, rectovaginal fistula, and septate uterus. We present a rare case of a 29-year-old woman with a suspected pelvic mass who was diagnosed with Currarino syndrome.

Currarino syndrome: repair of the dysraphic anomalies and resection of the presacral mass in a combined neurosurgical and general surgical approach

OBJECTIVEIt is well established that Currarino syndrome (CS) may be associated with spinal dysraphism. Here, the authors report on 10 CS patients with dysraphic anomalies who had undergone a combined neurosurgical and general surgical approach to repair the dysraphic anomalies and resect the presacral mass in a single operation. They discuss the spectrum of spinal dysraphism that may coexist in CS in the context of its developmental etiology.METHODSChildren with a confirmed CS diagnosis who had undergone the combined operative approach were identified from a departmental database. Presenting features were recorded and preoperative imaging was analyzed to record features of the presacral mass and the dysraphic anomalies. The histopathological nature of the resected presacral mass and the outcomes postoperatively and at the last follow-up were reviewed.RESULTSBetween 2008 and 2015, 10 patients presented with CS, 9 with constipation. Median age at the time of surgery was 1.3 years. Six of the 10 patients had anorectal malformation consisting of anal stenosis, rectal stenosis, or imperforate anus. Spinal anomalies included anterior meningocele (5 cases), low-lying conus (8), terminal syrinx (4), fatty filum (5), caudal lipoma (3), and intraspinal cyst (1). In all cases, the lumbosacral spinal canal was accessed via a midline approach with laminoplasty, allowing spinal cord untethering and repair of the dysraphic anomalies. Following dural closure, the incision was extended inferiorly to incorporate a posterior sagittal approach to resect the presacral mass. The histopathological nature of the mass was mature teratoma (8 cases), complex hamartomatous malformation (1), or neurenteric cyst (1). There were no new instances of neurological deterioration, with most instances of persisting morbidity related to constipation (6 cases) or neurogenic bladder dysfunction (8). There were no infective complications, no instances of cerebrospinal fluid fistula, no recurrences of the presacral mass, and no cases of retethering of the spinal cord.CONCLUSIONSAlthough not part of the original triad, spinal dysraphic anomalies are common in CS and in keeping with a disorder of secondary neurulation. Lumbosacral MRI is an essential investigation when CS is suspected. Children are at risk of sphincter impairment due to the anorectal malformation; however, both spinal cord tethering and compression from the presacral mass may further compromise long-term continence. A combined operative approach to repair the dysraphic anomalies and resect the presacral mass is described with good postoperative and long-term outcomes.

The Currarino triad: What pediatric surgeons need to know

PURPOSE

We report our experience in managing a group of patients with Currarino syndrome, highlighting diagnostic challenges, surgical techniques, in addition to a review of current neurosurgical options.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included patients with Currarino syndrome who presented to our pediatric surgery department during the period 2010 through 2016. The 'sacral scimitar' in plain X-ray provided the clue for the diagnosis; while MRI examination was essential to define the nature of the presacral mass and associated spinal anomalies.

RESULTS

The study included 17 patients (13 girls and 4 boys). Their age at presentation ranged from 7months to 10years. We used posterior sagittal approach to correct anorectal anomalies, and excise presacral cysts that were subjected to histopathological examination. Two cases presented with a pelvic abscess (infected presacral dermoid cyst), which were initially drained followed by excision. The presacral mass consisted of either lipomyelocele (6), lipomyelomeningocele (3), or a developmental (dermoid) cyst (8). Tethering of the spinal cord was a common association (70%) CONCLUSION: Apart from diagnostic challenges, the management of Currarino syndrome is similar to the usual management of ARM regarding the surgical approach and probably the prognosis that mainly depends on degree of associated sacral dysplasia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

This is a case series with no comparison group (level IV).

Currarino Syndrome in a Fetus, Infant, Child, and Adolescent: Spectrum of Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings

In 1981, Currarino et al described a triad of findings that consist of partial sacral dysgenesis, presacral mass (anterior meningocele, enteric cyst, or presacral teratoma) and anorectal malformation. Currarino syndrome exhibits variable expressivity and the clinical presentation tends to vary with the age of the subject such as spinal anomaly detected in the fetus, imperforate anus in the newborn, and intractable constipation or neurologic symptoms in the infant and older child. At any age, meningitis can be the presenting symptom and imaging is required for proper investigation. Meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and, rarely, malignant transformation of a teratoma are serious potential complications. This pictorial review describes the imaging findings, clinical history, surgical interventions, and genetic background in 5 children with this syndrome who presented in our hospital in the interval of 1 year.

Currarino syndrome: report of five consecutive patients

INTRODUCTION

The Currarino syndrome is regarded as a developmental disorder based on its recognized etiological heterogeneity. This syndrome is thought to result from abnormal separation of the neuroectoderm from the endoderm. Our aim was to report the neurosurgical management of Currarino syndrome in children and adults and to describe what clinician could do if the Currarino triad was suspected.

CASE REPORTS

We present five cases of Currarino triad who underwent surgical intervention. All patients had sacral bony deformity, anorectal malformations, and anterior sacral meningocele. A 40-year-old-male had chronic constipation. He was incidentally diagnosed with Currarino syndrome. A 19-year-old-female suffered from a slight weakness in lower extremities and urinary incontinence. Her past medical history was remarkable for anal atresia. The other three cases were children.

CONCLUSION

When an anterior sacral meningocele is encountered, Currarino syndrome should be taken into consideration. Although it is rarity, the Currarino syndrome might be one of the causes of chronic constipation. Endoscopic or endoscope-assisted surgery via a posterior sacral route can be feasible for treatment of some of the patients with anterior sacral meningocele. Anterior meningocele pouch associated with Currarino syndrome will regresses over time following transdural ligation of its neck.

Long-term functional outcomes in children with Currarino syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to review the degree to which the long-term outcome and ongoing morbidity in Currarino syndrome (CS) has been established.

METHODS

Analysis of previously published reports that have included long-term outcome data in CS and review of five additional patients with CS.

RESULTS

Overall, long-term outcomes of children born with CS are not well described. Malignancy has been reported in six children of approximately 300 CS patients: four children with malignancy had a recurrence after primary excision. Malignancy has also occurred in four adults. Ongoing morbidity related to constipation, faecal incontinence, neurogenic bladder, urinary incontinence and presacral abscess, and more rarely meningitis, brain metastases, developmental delay and unusual gait. Almost certainly, previous reports have under-estimated the true incidence of these problems, given the methodology and focus of these series.

CONCLUSIONS

There is paucity of information on the long-term outcomes in CS. Few authors have focused on ongoing symptoms, such that we speculate the true incidence of long-term urinary and bowel dysfunction may have been under-estimated in CS. Greater emphasis on the functional assessment of these systems during childhood may help predict the long-term outcome in CS. The most severe cases are diagnosed during infancy and childhood, and these are also the ones who are more likely to have ongoing long-term morbidity.

Incomplete Currarino triad as an embryological variant. Case report and review of the literature

Currarino triad is a rare embryological complex of congenital caudal anomalies, including anorectal malformation, sacral osseous defect, and presacral mass, that results from abnormal separation of the neuroectoderm from the endoderm. The authors present an unusual case of a patient who had, in addition to the classic features of this syndrome, holocord syringomyelia, low conus medullaris, and tethered cord demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. They also discuss the embryological significance of this clinical entity and briefly review the relevant literature.

Complete familial Currarino triad in association with Hirschsprung's disease: magnetic resonance imaging features and the spectrum of anorectal malformations

Currarino syndrome, a rare hereditary condition, is defined as a partial sacral agenesis associated with a presacral mass and anorectal malformation. The authors present two siblings with complete Currarino triad and their mother with incomplete triad. The complete Currarino triad in the older sibling was associated with Hirschsprung's disease as the second reported case in the literature. Anorectal malformations, whether suspected of Currarino syndrome or not, should be examined with lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging.

New clinical and therapeutic perspectives in Currarino syndrome (study of 29 cases)

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to clearly define the anomalies that compose the Currarino syndrome (CS). We highlight the frequency of associated malformations of the spinal cord and the possibility of a communication between the presacral tumor and the spinal canal, leading to neurological complications.

METHODS

We studied 29 patients with CS, including 12 familial cases; histological examination of the presacral tumor was performed, and cytogenetic and molecular biology studies of the HLXB9 locus were carried out.

RESULTS

All except 2 patients had a sacral malformation; 23 had an anorectal anomaly and 8 had isolated chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. There were 20 presacral tumors, one of which was malignant. There was a communication between the presacral tumor and the spinal canal in 12 cases, and tethering of the spinal cord in 17 cases. Twenty-five patients underwent surgery with a single-stage operation for 7, on both the intestinal and the presacral malformations, and, when required, the spinal cord anomalies. Twelve patients harbored a heterozygous point mutation of the coding sequence of HLXB9 gene.

CONCLUSION

By accurate evaluation of the 4 main features in the CS, the correct surgical management, including neurosurgery, can be performed in a 1-stage approach.

Currarino syndrome: proposal of a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The Currarino syndrome (CS) is a peculiar form of caudal regression syndrome (CRS) characterized by the association of hemisacrum, anorectal malformation (ARM), and presacral mass. The authors analyzed retrospectively their series, and they propose a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapuetic protocol that until now has not been introduced.

METHODS

A series of 6 patients with CS is presented. Five of them were treated initially in other centers. None of them had an early diagnosis. All presented associated anomalies; in 50%, Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and other dysganglionoses were present. One patient died of a presacral ectopic nephroblastoma.

RESULTS

Depending on the expressivity, 3 types of CS can be identified, complete, mild, and minimal. Dysganglionoses and HD can be considered part of CS. A multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic protocol is presented. Main points are sacrum x-Ray, molecular genetic diagnosis, radiologic evaluation of every member of CS families, magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation of patient spine and pelvis, suction rectal biopsies, and search for associated anomalies.

CONCLUSIONS

This protocol could give a valid contribution to the treatment of CS, allowing an early diagnosis and proposing a rational timing of multidisciplinary surgical procedures. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to avoid morbidity and mortality from an undiagnosed presacral mass.

Malignant degeneration of presacral teratoma in the Currarino anomaly

The autosomal dominant Currarino anomaly (CA) comprises a presacral mass, partial sacral agenesis, and anorectal defects. Chronic constipation in childhood related to anorectal defects is the most common presenting symptom and hemisacrum the most frequent malformation. The presacral mass may be an anterior meningomyelocele, teratoma, hamartoma, dermoid cyst, neuroenteric cyst, or a combination of these. Sepsis and meningitis are frequent serious problems related to the anterior meningomyelocele, whilst malignant transformation of presacral teratoma is a rare, severe complication in CA. Here, we report on a three-generation family segregating the CA, presenting with anorectal defects, severe constipation, and sacral involvement in affected relatives. Teratoma was the most frequent component of the presacral mass. In this kindred a 22-year-old man died of a neuroendocrine tumor, probably related to malignant change in a presacral teratoma. A novel mutation in HLXB9 consisting of a 24-bp deletion and insertion of 2-bp into exon 1, was identified in all patients and in also three asymptomatic members of this family. Anterior meningomyelocele is the most frequently reported component of the presacral masses in CA; however, presacral teratomas carry an inherent risk for malignancy that must be considered in the counseling, surgical treatment options, and follow-up of CA patients.

Currarino triad associated with Hirschsprung's disease

The Currarino syndrome is a rare hereditary condition. The major symptom is chronic constipation from early life, and, in more than 80% of the cases, this condition is diagnosed in the first decade. The authors describe an unusual case of a complete Currarino triad associated with Hirschsprung's disease in a 6-year-old girl, presenting persistent constipation and abdominal distension. The patient is free of symptoms after surgical treatment of anorectal malformation and Hirschsprung's disease. The presacral mass was excised. Complete screening of the pelvis is recommended by using ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and radiography in patients with a history of chronic constipation from early childhood.