Evaluation of different presentations of sacrococcygeal teratoma in single pediatric surgery unit: a case series

ABSTRACT

Sacrococcygeal teratoma [SCT] is a well-known tumor of the newborn which carries an excellent prognosis provided adequate surgical treatment. The aim of this study were to the study the age distribution at presentation, the sex ratio, variation of the morphological presentations, and the incidence of postoperative complications, recurrence rate and the malignancy at the time of diagnosis. Retrospective analysis of clinical and epidemiological data of seven cases of Sacrococcygeal teratomas operated in Pediatric Surgery Unit at the Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital / Al-Qadisiya -Iraq from the period 1[st] of January 2005 to 31[st] of December 2008 the data used being extracted of the surgical protocols and histopathological exams. Of 7 patients, 6 [86%] were female. Sacrococcygeal teratoma contained only cystic component in four patients [57%], both cystic and solid components in one patient [14%] and predominantly solid components in two patients [29%]. Four patients [57%] were delivered by caesarean section. The follow up ranges between 3 months and 2 years in only 5 patients. Follow-up sonogram and magnetic resonance imaging MRI was done for all patients. Five patients [71%] were diagnosed and treated before the age of two months. One patient [14%] died postoperatively and one [14%] developed a recurrence. We suggest a national survey for large group of patients with Sacrococcygeal teratoma in other centers for reliable identification of different presentation and risk factors. Whenever histopathological examination of the resected specimen shows mature teratoma, a careful search for areas of malignancy in the specimen should be performed especially in delayed presentation [later than the age of 2 months]