title: Resection of presacral ganglioneurofibroma by laparoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tumors of the retrorectal space are rare. They comprise a heterogeneous group of benign or malignant tumors that cause similar symptoms due to their location in presacral space. If possible, complete surgery excision is the therapy of choice mainly through a sacral, abdominal-sacral, or a pure abdominal or perineal axis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 15-year-old asymptomatic patient was diagnosed with a retrouterine tumor during her first gynecological examination. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed a 10 x 8.5 x 7-cm encapsulated presacral tumor. Retrorectal ganglioneurofibroma was removed by laparoscopy with preservation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves and the sacral roots of the ischiadic nerves. No sensory or motoric dysfunction of the legs, bladder, or rectum was observed postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case report of a complete endoscopic removal of large presacral ganglioneurofibroma in an asymptomatic woman.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Bachstrasse 18, D-07740 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kühne-Heid
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klemm
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tozzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000601:surgery*; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000601:surgery*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*