Urological aspects of sacrococcygeal teratoma in children

Abstract

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common extragonadal germ cell tumor of infancy. Associated urological complications, most of which are reported in children with malignancy, include vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral and urethral obstruction, and neurogenic bladder. To evaluate the influence of tumor grade and type on adverse urological outcome we reviewed the charts of 29 children with sacrococcygeal teratoma and correlated urological problems to lesion type and grade. No correlation was noted between tumor grade and the incidence of urological complications. The most common urological complications were neurogenic bladder in 12% of the patients, ureteral obstruction in 10% and vesicoureteral reflux in 7%. The highest incidence of urological complications (81%) was seen in patients with type IV (presacral) disease. We recommend early radiographic and neurourodynamic evaluation in all children with sacrococcygeal teratoma.