title: Retrorectal tumours: a case report.
abstract: The authors describe a case of retrorectal tumour in a 48-year-old female. Retrorectal tumours are rare, and their diagnosis is notoriously difficult and late. In this case the first-step diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical findings and radiological investigations such as abdominal ultrasonography. The second step included pelvic CT scans and MR imaging which yielded more precise anatomical details and information for the best surgical approach. We opted for a posterior approach with complete, easy removal of the tumour mass which, after pathological examination, turned out to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful and, one year after operation, the patient complains only of mild, irregular perineal pain with completely negative radiological investigations (US and CT scan).
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Mininvasive Surgery I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione S. Maugeri, Via Ferrata, 8, 27100 Pavia.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Manna
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ponchio
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parziale
authors.forename: Rubina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Maurizia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Gioacchino Robustelli
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Della Cuna
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catona
mesh_terms: D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors