title: Caution: laparoscopic biopsy of a large pelvic mass may result in disaster.
abstract: Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare cause of a pelvic mass. Herein the authors describe the case of a young patient presenting with chronic pelvic pain undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy. She was found to have a retrorectal mass confirmed as an anterior sacral meningocele on subsequent MRI. The authors explore the case, describe a method of intraoperative management to minimize the risk of severe complications and include a discussion of the differential diagnosis. Central to this is an emphasis on advocating a cautious approach when confronted with an incidental unknown pelvic mass, as deleterious consequences may occur from biopsy of such a lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Bristol, UK. jberstock@gmail.com
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Berstock
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bunni
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Thorpe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008588:Meningocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region