Diagnosis and treatment of retrorectal cystic hamartoma: clinical case

Background. Retrorectal tumors are a rare group of tumors that can be benign or malignant in origin; in most cases, they are asymptomatic. They mainly arise in the presacral space, which is limited by Waldeyer’s fascia posteriorly, the rectal fascia proper anteriorly, the ureters and lateral ligaments of the rectum laterally, the levator ani muscles and coccyx inferiorly, and the transition of the pelvic peritoneum between the second and third sacral segments superiorly. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosis and surgical planning. Most retrorectal tumors require surgical treatment without preoperative biopsy. Here, we present a case of a retrorectal cystic hamartoma that was treated with surgery.

Clinical case. Patient N., 45 years old, presented with suspected pelvic malformation. The patient reported experiencing pain in the sacrum area since May 2023, with no history of trauma. She sought medical help at a local polyclinic, where an ultrasound of the pelvic organs revealed a pelvic mass. The patient was then referred to an oncologist at the Multidisciplinary Clinical Medical Center “Medical City”. Physical examination showed no specific features, except upon rectal examination, where a non-displaced tumor measuring up to 2 cm was palpated along the posterior rectal wall. MRI of the pelvic organs confirmed the presence of a mass behind the lower ampullary rectum. Surgical treatment was subsequently performed, and the diagnosis of teratoma was confirmed through morphological and immunohistochemical studies.

Conclusion. Early comprehensive diagnostics and an experienced surgical team are key factors for successful treatment of patients with retrorectal tumors.