Search

Background: Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common teratoma in neonates and arises from the coccyx. SCT with intraspinal invasion is extremely rare and only reported in a few cases., Methods: 37 patients with SCT were identified at our institution between 2000 and 2018. Three of these patients had SCT with intraspinal extension. A literature review for intraspinal extension associated with SCT, including mode of diagnosis, presentation, surgical approach and neurological sequelae, between 1993 and 2018 was also conducted., Results: The authors report three cases of infants who were antenatally and/or postnatally diagnosed with a sacrococcygeal teratoma extending into the spinal canal. We illustrate the challenges of accurate diagnosis and therapeutic management. Postnatal magnet resonance imaging (MRI) was the best method to define spinal anatomy and extension of the tumors prior to surgery. Management with a multidisciplinary team approach including neuroradiology, neurosurgery and general surgery was used in our two most recent patients. The literature review yielded 6 cases of SCT with intraspinal extension., Conclusion: Intraspinal extension in SCT is rare but should be excluded at birth before attempting any resection. In case of positive spinal invasion on Ultrasonography (US), MRI is essential to plan for surgery and possible laminectomy to be able to perform a radical resection of this congenital tumor. We recommend this multidisciplinary approach., Level of Evidence: Level IV., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Coccyx (tailbone) pain substantially decreases the quality of life for patients who suffer with this condition. Classic symptoms include midline pain located below the sacrum and above the anus. Symptoms are worse while sitting or during transitions from sitting to standing. Physical examination typically reveals focal tenderness during palpation of the coccyx. Diagnostic tests include radiographs. Advanced studies may include MRI, computerized tomography scans, or nuclear medicine bone scans. Treatments may include the use of cushions, medications by mouth, topical medications, local pain management injections, pelvic floor physical therapy, and (in rare cases) surgical removal of the coccyx (coccygectomy)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Neurological involvement due to intraspinal extension in sacrococcygeal malignant germ cell tumors (SC-MGCTs) has rarely been reported., Aim: To evaluate the incidence, presentation, management and the outcome of patients of SC-MGCT with intraspinal extension., Materials and Methods: Case records of all cases of SC-MGCT from 2001 to 2008, were reviewed to identify cases with vertebral involvement and intraspinal extension. They were evaluated in terms of their presentation, response to therapy, extent of surgical resection, recovery of neurological symptoms and outcome., Results: Of the 31 cases of SC-MGCT, 5 (16%) had intraspinal extension. Age ranged from 12 to 84 months (median 24 months). Four patients had Altman type 4 disease (stage 4) and 1 had Altman type 3 (stage 3) disease. The intraspinal extension in all patients was detected on contrast CT scan. Patients presented with neurological symptoms in the form of lower limb paresis (80%), bowel and bladder (20%) incontinence. All the tumors responded to pre-operative chemotherapy. Gross complete local resection could be achieved in 4(80%). Neurological recovery was complete in all except for persisting neurogenic bladder in one. During follow up of 3-32 months, all were alive with no recurrence., Conclusions: SC-MGCT presenting with neurological deficits due to intraspinal extension is usually advanced disease. These patients respond to chemotherapy and surgical resection and most have complete neurological improvement., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Infantile fibrosarcoma is rare and represents less than 1% of all childhood cancers. Commonly, it arises in the limbs followed by the trunk and head and neck. We report a rare case of infantile fibrosarcoma masquerading as sacrococcygeal teratoma in a newborn. The literature on the subject is also reviewed., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fifteen cases of malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma were treated at our hospital over the last 32 years. These included five cases of endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor that arose in otherwise benign or immature teratoma, and ten cases of pure endodermal sinus (yolk sac) tumor. Most were females, and only one was a neonate. The presence of symptoms almost always indicated local extension or distant metastases. According to Altman's classification, all but two of these malignant tumors were Types III and IV. The resectability was low, but with aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, second look operations in five have been possible with increasing optimism for survival. Two of five patients with secondary resections are alive and tumor-free almost two years after therapy was discontinued. So far, only the newborn is a long-term (14 years) cure.