Histopathological diagnostic dilemma in retrorectal developmental cysts: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Retrorectal developmental cysts are lesions that are classified according to their histopathological characteristics and origins. The major types are epidermoid cyst, dermoid cyst, rectal duplication cyst, rectal cystic hamartoma and teratoma. These cysts grow slowly and the majority of cases are asymptomatic. Total excision is required and histopathological examination should be carefully performed for retrorectal localized developmental cysts, since the cystic lesions may show malignant transformation. Here, a 3-year-old male patient with retrorectal mass, which was histopathologically compatible with tailgut cyst, is presented and the differential diagnosis of retrorectal developmental cysts is discussed.