Pediatric presacral tumors with intraspinal extension: a rare entity with diagnostic challenges

Abstract

The presacral space is a potential space located between the rectum and the lumbosacral spine. It contains various primitive germ cell types that serve as the origin for a range of tumors. Imaging is crucial in characterizing, assessing the extent of and evaluating the treatment response to these tumors. We report a series of six cases of pediatric presacral tumors with intraspinal extension, including an immature sacrococcygeal teratoma (Altman type II), a malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma (Altman type IV), a neuroblastoma, a rhabdomyosarcoma, a clear cell sarcoma and an Ewing's sarcoma of the ilium. These tumors can be broadly categorized as tumors of germ cell, neuroblastic, mesenchymal and osteogenic origin. Despite overlapping imaging features, a review of the existing literature and careful retrospective observation revealed several distinctive features that aid in the optimal characterization of tumors. These include the tumor's epicenter, the pattern and degree of bone involvement, the status of sacral foramina and neural elements, and internal tumor characteristics such as the presence of fat, calcification, hemorrhage and necrosis.