The Currarino syndrome--hereditary transmitted syndrome of anorectal, sacral and presacral anomalies. Case report and review of the literature

The Currarino triad is a hereditary transmitted syndrome, originally defined by Currarino as ASP-association, consisting of an anorectal malformation, a sacral bony defect and a presacral mass. In most cases autosomal dominant transmission is suggested. In family members one or two features of the syndrome may be missing, indicating an incomplete form of this complex. We describe two unrelated girls at the age of 8 and 9 months respectively with ASP-association. Family screening in both patients showed 8 additional cases with a complete or incomplete Currarino triad, four of them being asymptomatic. A review of the literature up to 1991 revealed 48 patients with ASP-association. In more than 80% of cases, this complex is diagnosed in the first decade, whereas incomplete Currarino syndrome is diagnosed predominantly in adults. Most frequently the presacral mass in ASP-association was reported to be an anterior meningocele (47%) and a benign teratoma (40%). The number of patients with Currarino syndrome has been underestimated so far. We recommend anorectal examination, pelvic ultrasound and pelvic x-rays in all patients with a history of chronic constipation since early childhood. Positive findings should lead to further investigations such as barium enema, MRI, myelography and family screening. Close cooperation between pediatric surgeons and neurosurgeons is required to ensure adequate surgical treatment, considering both the risk of malignant degeneration as well as the risk of intraoperative nerve damage. Thus, radical excisional surgery is not obligatory in every case of Currarino syndrome.