UROLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SACROCOCCYGEAL TERATOMA IN CHILDREN

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common extragonadal germ cell tumo r of infancy. Associated urological complications, most of which are r eported in children with malignancy, include vesico-ureteral reflux, u reteral 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 c orrelated urological problems to lesion type and grade. No correlation was noted between tumor grade and the incidence of urological complic ations. The most common urological complications were neurogenic bladd er in 12% of the patients, ureteral obstruction in 10% and vesicourete ral reflux in 7%. The highest incidence of urological complications (8 1%) was seen in patients with type IV (presacral) disease. We recommen d early radiographic and neurouro-dynamic evaluation in all children w ith sacrococcygeal teratoma.