Sacrococcygeal Teratoma in a Developing Community

Objective: To determine the parameters of the sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) in a developing community Study Design: An epidemiologic data pool was formed from cases of SCT submitted as surgical specimens to a Reference Pathology Laboratory serving the Igbo Ethnic Group in South-Eastern Nigeria. Results: In all, 18 neonates were diagnosed with SCT. Females preponderated (83%). The patients were presented at birth immediately or within a few weeks. The maximum dimension averaged 8.7 cm. Only 2 cases were delivered by cesarean section. A twin was delivered healthy while the other twin was a still-born. There was no associated anomaly or malignancy. Three cases exhibited striking predominance, namely, isolated cartilage bars, psammoma bodies, and longish stretch of bowel mucosa and muscularis complete with nerve plexuses. In this community, prenatal sonography was not used. Conclusion: SCTs documented from a developing community in Nigeria showed the usual characteristics including 83% female preponderance.