title: Retrorectal Tumors in Adults: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.
abstract: Due to the rarity and large diversity of the primary retrorectal tumors (RTs), the diagnoses are often difficult and they can be misdiagnosed. We present our experience in light of scarce information available on the clinical manifestations of RTs. The retrospective study included 17 patients diagnosed as RTs between January 2004 and January 2014. Demographic characteristics, length of symptoms, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, evaluations on the treatment procedures and postoperative periods, pathology, complications, and length of hospital stay were recorded. A mean of 1.7 of patients were diagnosed with RTs annually in our hospital. Patients comprised 12 females and 5 males. Pain and discomfort were the most common symptoms at presentation. All the lesions were evaluated by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), and all the patients were treated operatively. Based on the preoperative MRI or CT findings, an anterior approach was performed in 7 patients, a posterior approach in 6 patients, and combined approach in 4 patients. Mean size of tumors was 9.2 ± 4.3 cm. Epidermoid cyst (n = 8) was the most common tumor. Except for 1 case of liposarcoma, 16 tumors were confirmed to be of benign nature in histologic examination. Mean length of hospital stay 12.4 ± 6.8 days. Retrorectal tumors are heterogeneous and lead to diagnostic difficulties. A high index of clinical suspicion is needed for diagnosis. Preoperative imaging may be helpful in determining the course of treatment. Total excision of a retrorectal tumor may alleviate pressure symptoms and confirm the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oguz
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böyük
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turkoglu
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cemil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goya
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Pathology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ulas
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Alabalık
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teke
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hıdır
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Budak
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metehan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gumuş
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Diagnosis; Epidermoid cyst; Outcomes; Retrorectal tumors; Surgical approach