A 40-year-old woman with cauda equina syndrome caused by rectothecal fistula arising from an anterior sacral meningocele.
BACKGROUND
We present a rare case of a rectothecal fistula arising from an anterior sacral meningocele in a patient with Currarino syndrome.


METHODS
The patient was a 40-year-old woman presenting with cauda equina syndrome and ascending meningitis. The meningocele was removed using an anterior abdominal approach. A sigmoid resection was performed with rectal on-table antegrade lavage followed by closure of the rectal fistula, closure of the rectal stump, and proximal colostomy. Closure of the sacral deficit was carried out by suturing a strip of well-vascularized omentum and fibrin glue.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss the characteristics, management, and evolution of this unusual case. Prompt surgical management using an anterior approach, resection of the sac, closure of the sacral deficit, and fecal diversion resulted in a satisfactory outcome.
Bergeron
Eric
E
Department of Neurosurgery, Charles LeMoyne Hospital, Canada Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada. erb_taz2001@yahoo.com
Roux
Alain
A
Demers
Jacques
J
Vanier
Laurent E
LE
Moore
Lynne
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008588:Meningocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum; D012447:Sacrum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome