Antenatal and histological diagnostics of cystic sacrococcygeal teratoma. Clinical case and literature review

Abstract Objectives The congenital embryonic tumor known as sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) affects 1 in 35.000–40.000 newborns and is more prevalent in female fetuses and neonates. A total of 25–50% of SCTs are diagnosed by an ultrasound (US) examination during the second trimester of pregnancy. Planning the manner of delivery, determining the risk of negative outcomes, and choosing treatment options depend on the results of antenatal differential diagnosis. Case presentation This is a unique case of a 29-year-old second gravida, suspected of having a fetal sacrococcygeal dysplasia differentiable between Type 2 SCT and terminal myelocystocele. An MRI revealed no typical SCT changes, as a matter of course, the diagnosis of myelocystocele could not have been excluded. The results of the genetic examination allowed to exclude the chromosomal pathology. Punctuation of the external component of the formation and a cytological examination were suggested. Nevertheless, the patient and her partner refused further studies and insisted on the termination of pregnancy. Medical abortion was induced and histological findings confirmed fetal morphology to be mature SCT. Conclusions Cystic sacrococcygeal teratoma is an unusual malformation of fetal development. In the antenatal period SCT is diagnosed based upon an ultrasound evaluation, an MRI, and a multidisciplinary assessment of clinical experts. Differential diagnosis based upon clinical imaging during the gestational period is elaborate. The final medical diagnosis needs to be verified by a histological evaluation of pathological tissue. An antenatal medical diagnosis of fetal dysplasia is considerable for the further prognosis of fetal and newborn development.