[Recurrent urinary tract infection in a patient with sacral agenesis and vertebral-lumbar dysraphism. Diagnostic-therapeutic scheme and clinical outcome]

Abstract

Objective: To present and analyze one case of sacral agenesis with distal lumbar vertebral dysraphism, and to highlight the most relevant elements found in a bibliographic search.

Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics of an adult patient with sacral agenesis, the diagnostic-therapeutic urological management and her outcome over four years of follow-up. A bibliographic search was also performed including review of all articles published over the last 16 years; we briefly include the most relevant elements.

Conclusions: Sacral agenesis, as a local regional expression of "caudal regression syndrome" almost invariably produces functional involvement of the bladder and recurrent urinary tract infection, although the evolution may be benign like present case. This does not exempt from the unavoidable need of proper initial morphological-functional diagnosis, periodic follow-up and treatment.