Retrorectal tumours: literature review and Vilnius University Hospital "Santariskiu klinikos" experience of 14 cases

Abstract

Objective

Retrorectal tumours are rare lesions in adults. The diagnosis of retrorectal lesion is often difficult and misdiagnosis is common. We present significant number of cases in view of scarce information available on this matter.

Methods

14 patients were treated at Vilnius university hospital "Santariskiu klinikos" Centre of abdominal surgery from 1997 to 2010. The case notes of patients who underwent surgery for a retrorectal tumour were reviewed retrospectively. Surgical histories, operations, histological tumour type, surgical time, weight of the specimen, blood loss, length of stay were analysed.

Results

13 patients underwent laparotomy, 1 patient had combined perineal approach and laparotomy. The most common types of the tumour were fibroma (3 cases), leiomyosarcoma (2 cases). 5 tumours (35,7%) were found to be malignant. 57% of the patients had undergone at least one operation prior to definitive treatment. 5 female patients were initially admitted under gynaecologists. Hospital stay varied from 14 days to 22 days (mean 16,2 days). A report of a representative case is presented.

Conclusions

Retrorectal lesions in female patients can mimic gynaecological pathology. Patients with this rare pathology are to be treated in a major tertiary hospital by surgeons, who are able to operate safely in the retrorectal space.

Introduction

Retrorectal tumours (presacral, precoccygeal tumours) are rare lesions with late manifestations. The incidence of retrorectal tumours can be estimated to be 2,1 - 6,3 cases a year [1, 2]. The true incidence is masked by a fact that most of the studies were conducted in the tertiary referral centres and reported incidence may be much higher than in general population [3]. Spencer and Jackman [4] found precoccygeal cysts in 3 of 20,851 proctologic examinations (0.014%) performed in a single year.

Retrorectal space, also referred as presacral space, is bounded by presacral fascia posteriorly, fascia propria of the rectum anteriorly and iliac vessels, ureters being found laterally. The peritoneal reflection of the rectum forms the roof of presacral space. Anatomically the space is divided by rectosacral fascia to inferior and superior portions. The floor of retrorectal space is formed by the fusion of the presacral parietal fascia and the rectal visceral fascia and lies above the levator ani muscle at the level of the anorectal junction [5].

Heterogeneous embryologic structures develop and involute adjacent to the retrorectal space, consequently leaving this area a potential site for a variety of both benign and malignant lesions.

Retrorectal tumours are classified to congenital, neurogenic, inflammatory, osseus and miscellaneous (Table 1). Congenital lesions are the most prevalent type, accounting for 55-65% (some authors report it being up to 80%, including cysts and chordomas). Neurogenic tumours constitute 10-12%, inflammatory 5%, osseus 5-11%, miscellaneous 12-16% [1, 2].

Table 1 Retrorectal tumours.

Congenital Tumours

The most common congenital retrorectal lesions are developmental cysts. They are more often diagnosed in females (male: female ratio 1:2) [2]. These tumours arise from abnormal closure of the ectodermal tube (dermoid and epidermoid cysts) and are lined with squamous epithelium with (dermoid) or without (epidermoid) skin appendages [9]. Tailgut cysts (cystic hamartomas) are less common: they are derived from tailgut remnants, the precursor of the gastrointestinal system. Malignant degeneration of tailgut cysts, associated with raised carcinoembryonic antigen level, is reported in literature [10].

The clinical presentation of developmental cysts is often non specific: most of them are asymptomatic, only infected and malignant cysts usually cause sacroccocygeal pain [2, 6]. Late manifestations of retrorectal lesions can present as chronic constipation [11], pelvic outlet obstruction during labor [12]. Clinical signs may mimick those of pilonidal sinus [13], perianal abscess, fistula in ano. Singer et al. [14] report that patients had underggone a mean of 4,7 operations or invasive procedures to diagnose and treat their disease.

Clinical examination, revealing midline postanal dimples, immediately below the dentate line, suggest the presence of developmental cyst. They have been documented in 35 to 100 percent of patients [1, 14, 15]. Digital rectal examination can prove diagnosis in more than 90% of the cases [2, 7, 15].

Chordoma is the most common malignant retrorectal mass, arising from remnants of the notochord [16]. Chordomas are slow-growing, locally invasive tumors that can reach large size before causing symptoms, such as low-back or sciatic pain, constipation, or lower-extremity paresis. Imaging will show a lytic lesion with a large soft-tissue mass [17].

Anterior sacral meningocele is a spinal fluid-filled sac in the pelvis communicating by a small neck with the spinal subarachnoid space through a defect in the sacrum. Headaches associated with defecation, recurrent meningitis or symptoms relating to mass effect indicate presence of anterior sacral meningocele [2]. Association with an anorectal malformation and sacral bony defect (Currarino syndrome) is reported in literature [19].

Neurogenic and Osseus Tumours

Osseous and neurogenic tumours make 20 to 30% of primary retrorectal tumours [6]. Due to compression or invasion of nearby neurological structures, the location of pain often follows radicular distribution [20]. Biological behaviour of osseus tumours is similar to bony tumours in other anatomic locations, with sarcomas having a predisposition for hematogenous spread to the lungs. All osseous masses have to be completely excised because of the high rate of recurrence [3].

Neurogenic lesions arise from nerve plexuses adjacent to retrorectal space. Lower back pain is typical clinical presentation, as well as other pelvic mass effect symptoms [21, 22].

Inflammatory and Miscellaneous Lesions

Inflammatory lesions arise from infection source below (perineal abscesses spreading superiorly to the supralevator space) or above (pelvic abscesses caused by diverticulitis, Crohn's or other intra-abdominal infection). They are not mentioned in several larger series, which makes their overall prevalence difficult to assess.

Miscellaneous lesions include tumours found elsewhere in the retroperitoneum, including metastatic disease (most commonly from the rectum), sarcomas, carcinoid tumors.

Materials and methods

Fourteen patients were treated at Vilnius university hospital "Santariskiu klinikos" Centre of abdominal surgery from 1997 to 2010. The case notes of patients who underwent surgery for a retrorectal tumour were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were comprised of 11 females and 3 males, with an age range of 37-79 years (mean, 55 years). Computed tomography (CT) was used to determine the infiltration of the tumour, the relation to other pelvic structures and possible malignant spreading. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in addition to CT in 8 cases. Based on CT and MRI findings surgical plan was made for tumour removal. Tumours extending above S3 were extirpated using abdominal approach, whereas extension below S3 required perineal or combined approach. Biopsy was taken in 4 cases. Cases 1,2,6 had a course of radiotherapy. Case 1 had metastases in liver. Surgical histories, operations, histological tumour type, surgical time, weight of the specimen, blood loss, length of stay of 14 patients were analysed.

Results

A list of the patients is shown in Table 2. 13 patients underwent laparotomy, 1 patient had combined perineal approach and laparotomy. One patient underwent palliative operation. Three patients had rectum resection; colostomy was formed for 2 patients. The most common types of the tumour were fibroma (3 cases), leiomyosarcoma (2 cases). 5 tumours (35,7%) were found to be malignant. Tumour weight was from 200 g to 853 g (mean 455 g). Blood loss was from 50 ml to 4000 ml (mean 821 ml). Time required for the surgery ranged from 1,3 hours to 5 hours (mean 3 hours). Hospital stay varied from 14 days to 22 days (mean 16,2 days). 57% of the patients had undergone at least one operation prior to definitive treatment. 5 female patients were initially admitted under gynaecologists. There was no perioperative mortality. Case 10 was complicated by iatrogenic injury to left iliac vein, which was repaired during operation. There were two cases (14%) with post operative wound infections.

Table 2 Clinical data of the patients.

Report of a Representative Case (CASE 8)

39 year old female was admitted to Vilnius university Hospital "Santariskiu klinikos" with diagnosis of acute mechanical obstruction. She complained of severe abdominal pain and constipation for 3 days. Patient reported having abdominal discomfort for 3 years. For last 6 months patient felt tension in lower abdomen and around rectum, as well as difficulty on passing urine.

On clinical examination abdomen was grossly distended, tympanic with active bowel peristaltic sounds. Digital rectal examination revealed a hard, smooth mass at 7 cm level, compressing rectum from outside. Abdominal x-ray showed appearances suggestive of bowel obstruction. Patient had initial conservative treatment for bowel obstruction (nasogastric tube, infusion therapy, fasting).

Laboratory test results and ultrasound findings were insignificant. MRI revealed homogenous, clearly bordered 118 × 93 × 130 mm structure, compressing rectum and bladder (Figure 1 and 2). Based on these findings the diagnosis of retrorectal tumour without apparent signs of malignancy was made.

Figure 1

Axial MRI view of the tumor.

Figure 2

Sagital MRI view of the tumor.

Total resection of the tumour was performed. The size was 14 × 7 × 10 cm, it weighed 680 g (Figure 3). Post-operative recovery was uneventful. Histologically the tumour was found to be a lipoma. Patient was asymptomatic after 1,5 year. There were no signs of recurrence on clinical, digital rectal and ultrasound examination.

Figure 3

Macroscopic view of the tumor.

Discussion

Because of the rarity of retrorectal tumours the literature is limited to individual case reports, only a few large case series are present. Our study presents significant number of cases in view of scarce information available on this matter.

Clinical examination plays a vital role in diagnosing retrorectal tumours. We had an interesting case, where asymmetric gluteal fold indicated presacral lesion. It was corrected after the operation (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Gluteal fold before (left) and after (right) the operation.

Plain abdominal x-rays may reveal solid tumours compressing, invading, or displacing the sacrum on the x-ray. The pathognomonic scimitar sign caused by a unilateral sacral defect indicates presence of anterior sacral meningocele [2]. Chronic fistulae can be evaluated with a fistulogram, which documents anato my and rules out communication with the rectum [14].

A CT scan of the pelvis can distinguish cystic from solid lesions and assess for sacral involvement or invasion to adjacent structures. MRI shows soft-tissue planes, evaluates the presence or absence of bony invasion and nerve involvement. Preoperative imaging plays a key role in planning the surgical treatment.

Biopsies can cause fatal septic complications and should be performed only when the lesion appears to be unresectable and a tissue diagnosis is required to guide adjuvant therapy [3, 24]. Tumour seeding may also occur during biopsy - it has been shown that poorly planned biopsies and incomplete debulking operations increase the risk of local recurrence and metastasis [25]. In our study biopsies were performed in other treatment centres before admission to Vilnius University Hospital.

Surgical treatment is based on the size of the tumour, its rostral and caudal extent, involvement of visceral structures and sacrum, features of malignancy on imaging studies. If the tumour is above S3 level, abdominal approach is recommended. Tumours below S3 can be extirpated using perineal approach, as it results in a quicker recovery [26]. For very low lying lesions Buchs et al. [27] recommend intersphincteric posterior approach for preservation of good sphincter function. Visceral or sacral involvement requires abdominal or combined approach irrespective to tumour level. Most of the tumours in our study were above S3 level; therefore laparotomy was used in almost all of the operations. Alternative operative methods include transrectal [28], transvaginal [29] approaches. There are reports of successful use of laparoscopy [30, 31] and transanal endoscopic microsurgery [32] for retro rectal lesions.

Postoperative recovery was complicated by wound infection in 14% of patients in our study. Jao et al. [2] report similar 10% postoperative infection rate.

Large proportion of patients in our study had undergone surgical interventions before definitive surgical treatment. Singer et al. [14] describe similar diagnostic and treatment difficulties. Retrorectal lesions in female patients can mimic gynaecological pathology. Misdiagnosis could be avoided by performing digital rectal examination when there are unexplained gynaecological symptoms.

Due to proximity of retrorectal space and the genitourinary organs, presacral tumours are often dealt by specialists of other surgical fields. Patients with this rare pathology are to be treated in a major tertiary hospital by surgeons, who are able to operate safely in the retrorectal space.