Abstract
An epidermoid cyst is a common occurrence in the skin. Such a cyst occurring in the retrorectal space, however, is extremely rare. We herein present a case of retrorectal epidermal cyst in a 67-year-old Japanese woman. She reported no symptoms and a perirectal mass behind the lower rectum was accidentally detected by computed tomography (CT). Contrast CT and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass (76 × 70 × 63 mm) with a slightly enhanced thin wall which was attached to the lower rectum. The patient underwent surgery via a posterior approach. The mass was exposed after an excision of subcutaneous fat and was firmly adhered to the anal sphincter muscle. The cystic mass was completely removed without a proctectomy. Histologically, the cyst was diagnosed to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 9. A diagnosis of retrorectal cystic tumor is difficult, and a complete resection is necessary for the treatment of such tumors.
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Sasaki, A., Sugita, S., Horimi, K. et al. Retrorectal epidermoid cyst in an elderly woman: Report of a case. Surg Today 38, 761–764 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3695-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-007-3695-1