TAILGUT CYST PRESENTING AS GLUTEAL SWELLING: EXPLORING THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG

Abstract

Tailgut cysts or retrorectal cystic hamartomas are rare developmental anomalies commonly located in the retrorectal space. Age of presentation ranged from 4 to 73 years with an average age of 35 years; with female predominance. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Hereby we report a case of 34 years old Asian female presented with swelling and pain in the left gluteal region since 7 months. Digital rectal examination revealed mild tenderness with palpable and fluctuant mass in the posterior aspect and local examination showed a soft swelling in the left gluteal region. Magnetic resonance imaging pelvis revealed a large well defined cystic lesion posterior to rectum and anterior to sacrum and coccyx, extending in the subcutaneous plane behind the coccyx; suggestive of retrorectal cyst. Complete excision of the cyst and histopathological evaluation revealed tailgut cyst.