title: Rectothecal fistula secondary to an anterior sacral meningocele.
abstract: A rectothecal fistula secondary to anterior sacral meningocele is an extremely rare disease. To the authors' knowledge, only 2 cases have been reported in the English-language literature. It can cause symptoms by compressing adjacent structures, causing urinary difficulties and constipation. The authors report an unusual case of a patient in whom this condition was diagnosed as an incidental finding. The patient had a sacral myelomeningocele with secondary meningitis to a rectothecal fistula. The authors will briefly review the diagnosis, the various treatments, and the surgical approach to treat this infrequent entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Reina Sofia Hospital, Cordoba, Spain. alvaroarjona@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alvaro Arjona
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Carlos Diaz
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: Cesar Díaz
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: David Martínez
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cecilia
authors.forename: Jaime Alonso
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Jose Gómez
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Barbadillo
authors.forename: Sebastian Rufian
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Peña
mesh_terms: D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology; D008588:Meningocele / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology*; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology