Currarino Syndrome in a Fetus, Infant, Child, and Adolescent: Spectrum of Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings

Can Assoc Radiol J. 2017 Feb;68(1):90-95. doi: 10.1016/j.carj.2016.05.007. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Abstract

In 1981, Currarino et al described a triad of findings that consist of partial sacral dysgenesis, presacral mass (anterior meningocele, enteric cyst, or presacral teratoma) and anorectal malformation. Currarino syndrome exhibits variable expressivity and the clinical presentation tends to vary with the age of the subject such as spinal anomaly detected in the fetus, imperforate anus in the newborn, and intractable constipation or neurologic symptoms in the infant and older child. At any age, meningitis can be the presenting symptom and imaging is required for proper investigation. Meningitis, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and, rarely, malignant transformation of a teratoma are serious potential complications. This pictorial review describes the imaging findings, clinical history, surgical interventions, and genetic background in 5 children with this syndrome who presented in our hospital in the interval of 1 year.

Keywords: Currarino; Fetal; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anal Canal / abnormalities*
  • Anal Canal / diagnostic imaging
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Digestive System Abnormalities / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*
  • Rectum / abnormalities*
  • Rectum / diagnostic imaging
  • Sacrum / abnormalities*
  • Sacrum / diagnostic imaging
  • Syndrome
  • Syringomyelia / diagnostic imaging*

Supplementary concepts

  • Currarino triad