title: Retrorectal epidermoid cyst in an elderly woman: report of a case.
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 (76x70x63 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Miyazaki Hospital, 19403-4 Kawaminami-machi, Miyazaki, 889-1301, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugita
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horimi
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inomata
authors.forename: Seigo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed