MRI AND RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CURRARINOS TRIAD

Currarino's triad is a rare complex of a congenital sacral bony abnorm ality, anorectal malformation and a presacral mass. Intractable consti pation since birth is the leading symptom of this triad, which follows an autosomal dominant mode of heredity. We report conventional radiog raphic and MR findings in one family consisting of a mother and her tw o daughters. In all three cases, radiography revealed an abnormality o f the os sacrum, the so-called scimitar sacrum. MR examination, undert aken next in our institution, was applied with T1-, T2- and proton den sity weighted sequences in all three orientations before and after i.v . application of gadolinium diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-D TPA), In two patients ve were able to diagnose the complete form of th e triad and in one patient an incomplete form. In any case of a radiog raphically diagnosed scimitar sacrum in combination with constipation, Currarino's triad should be considered. MRI, as the method of choice, should be the next step to detect a presacral mass and any anomalies of the spinal canal. The importance of early recognition lies in the h igh morbidity and mortality rates resulting from this disorder.