Magnetic resonance detection of myelodysplasia in children with Currarino triad

Purpose. To evaluate the role of MRI in the detection of myelodysplasia in children with Currarino triad. Materials and methods. Six patients (two girls, four boys, aged 7 months–14 years, mean age 6 years) were studied with MRI, voiding cystourethrogram and barium enema or fistulography. CT and ultrasonography were also performed in two patients. Results. All patients presented with partial agenesis of the sacrum. Three patients suffered from an intermediate form of anorectal malformation (ARM) and three had a high form of ARM. The presacral masses consistent with Currarino triad included anterior meningocoele in three patients, lipoma in two patients and anterior lipomeningocoele in one patient. MRI diagnosed tethering of the spinal cord in four of six patients. The tethering of the spinal cord was due to a lipomeningocoele in one patient, an intradural lipoma in one patient and a lipoma of the filum in two patients. Conclusion. The association of Currarino triad with tethered spinal cord seems more common than generally reported in the literature. Preoperative MRI of the lumbosacral spine is essential to detect significant myelodysplasia in all patients with Currarino triad. Received: 15 January 1997 Accepted: 23 June 1997