title: The Currarino triad: What pediatric surgeons need to know.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report our experience in managing a group of patients with Currarino syndrome, highlighting diagnostic challenges, surgical techniques, in addition to a review of current neurosurgical options.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included patients with Currarino syndrome who presented to our pediatric surgery department during the period 2010 through 2016. The 'sacral scimitar' in plain X-ray provided the clue for the diagnosis; while MRI examination was essential to define the nature of the presacral mass and associated spinal anomalies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 17 patients (13 girls and 4 boys). Their age at presentation ranged from 7months to 10years. We used posterior sagittal approach to correct anorectal anomalies, and excise presacral cysts that were subjected to histopathological examination. Two cases presented with a pelvic abscess (infected presacral dermoid cyst), which were initially drained followed by excision. The presacral mass consisted of either lipomyelocele (6), lipomyelomeningocele (3), or a developmental (dermoid) cyst (8). Tethering of the spinal cord was a common association (70%) CONCLUSION: Apart from diagnostic challenges, the management of Currarino syndrome is similar to the usual management of ARM regarding the surgical approach and probably the prognosis that mainly depends on degree of associated sacral dysplasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case series with no comparison group (level IV).
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University. Electronic address: amrabdelhamid@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Amr Abdelhamid
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: AbouZeid
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University.
authors.forename: Shaimaa Abdelsattar
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abolfotoh
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University.
authors.forename: Ahmed Bassiouny
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Radwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University.
authors.forename: Mohamed Mohamed ElSayed
authors.initials: MME
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain-Shams University.
authors.forename: Tarek Ahmed
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012447:Sacrum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D066231:Surgeons; D013577:Syndrome; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Anorectal anomalies; Anterior myelomeningocele; Constipation; Currarino triad; Sacrum; Tethered cord