Exceptionally giant neglected sacral chordoma in a post-poliotic residual paralysis patient - a rare case scenario.

Chordoma is a rare malignant tumour with an incidence of 0.1 case per 1 lakh population per year. The sacrococcygeal region is the most common site to be involved. Herein, we are reporting a case of sacral chordoma, who is a 32-year-old male patient, a known case of post-polio residual paralysis on the left lower limb, who presented with complaint of pain in the lower back and gluteal region for 2 years with swelling in the gluteal region for 1 year, which was gradually increasing in size for 1 year with associated weight loss. MRI revealed an ill-defined lytic expansile altered signal intensity lesion involving S3 to S5 and coccygeal vertebral bodies measuring 13.2 × 16.2 × 14 cm (ap × tr × cc) with adjacent large lobulated heterogeneous soft tissue component and showed multiple coarse calcifications. The lesion anteriorly displaced and abutted the rectum and was deriving its blood supply from branches of bilateral internal iliac arteries. The patient was planned and underwent wide-margin resection (middle sacrectomy with R0 margins with preservation of both S2 and right S3 nerve roots). Histologic Grade was reported to be G2, moderately differentiated, high grade. Pathologic stage classification was reported as pT3a. Postoperatively patient had the same neurological status and was discharged on advice to do full weight bearing walking and self-intermittent catheterisation and laxatives. He was on routine follow up and improved well symptomatically.

Coccygeal tumours unveiled: a retrospective cohort analysis from a tertiary referral centre.

BACKGROUND: Isolated tumours affecting the coccyx are infrequent, with only a handful of documented cases in the literature. Herein, we highlight the most extensive consecutive case series involving various isolated coccyx tumours with varied clinical presentations and imaging features. METHODS: A retrospective search of our tertiary Orthopaedic oncology institute's oncology and Radiology database [Radiology Information System, Picture Archiving and Communication System, and Computerised Radiology Information System] for the keyword "Coccyx" and "Tumour" was performed over 15 years (between December 2007 and August 2022). Data collected was correlated with local histopathology and laboratory records. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and complementary imaging findings were recorded for analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and three lesions originating in the coccyx with a mean age of 62 years (range 25-90 years) were identified. There was a male preponderance with 59 male and 44 female patients (1.3:1.0). The most typical tumour noted was chordoma. Other lesions included a dermoid cyst, a myxopapillary ependymoma, a notochordal remnant, an osteochondroma, an Ewing sarcoma, and a teratoma. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that most of the tumours involving coccyx are chordomas with a few rarely encountered benign and malignant tumours. Radiological imaging plays a vital role in characterising isolated tumours affecting the coccyx and guiding appropriate patient management. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This is the largest reported series of coccygeal tumours. Chordoma is the commonest coccygeal tumour. Patients with unexplained coccydynia should undergo detailed investigations, preferably with cross-sectional imaging.

Coccygectomy for refractory coccydynia, old-fashioned but effective procedure: A retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Coccydynia, characterized by persistent pain in the coccygeal region, significantly impacts patients' quality of life. While various treatment modalities exist, including conservative measures and surgical interventions like coccygectomy, optimal management remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes, functional improvements, and quality of life in patients with chronic coccydynia undergoing either infiltrative treatment or coccygectomy. METHODS: Data from patients treated at our institution from January 2018 to December 2022 were analyzed. Participants meeting inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: Group A underwent coccygectomy, while Group B received conservative therapy. Clinical assessments, radiographic evaluations, and patient-reported outcomes were collected preoperatively and at follow-up intervals. RESULTS: Of the 223 initially examined patients, 55 met inclusion criteria. Group A (n = 21) underwent coccygectomy, while Group B (n = 34) received conservative therapy. Both groups showed significant pain reduction post-intervention, with sustained improvement in Group A. Functional outcomes favoured Group A, with significant improvements in disability and quality of life measures. Complications were minimal, with only one case of superficial wound infection in Group A. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that coccygectomy provides superior and lasting pain relief, functional improvement, and quality of life improvement compared to conservative therapy. While complications were minimal, further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate these results and explore long-term outcomes. Despite its historical association with complications, advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative care have led to improved outcomes and reduced complication rates. Thus, coccygectomy should be considered in the treatment algorithm for patients with debilitating coccydynia.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the 20 Most Cited Articles on Sacrococcygeal Chordomas.

This study aims to summarize sacrococcygeal chordoma literature through bibliometric analysis and to offer insights into key studies to guide clinical practices and future research. The Web of Science database was searched using the terms "sacral chordoma", "chordomas of the sacrum", "chordomas of the sacral spine", "chordomas of the sacrococcygeal region", "coccygeal chordoma", and "coccyx chordoma". Articles were analyzed for citation count, authorship, publication date, journal, research area tags, impact factor, and evidence level. The median number of citations was 75 (range: 53-306). The primary publication venue was the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. Most works, published between 1999 and 2019, featured a median journal impact factor of 3.8 (range: 2.1-7) and predominantly fell under the research area tag, radiation, nuclear medicine, and imaging. Of these articles, 19 provided clinical data with predominantly level III evidence, and one was a literature review. This review highlights the increasing volume of sacrococcygeal chordoma publications over the past two decades, indicating evolving treatment methods and interdisciplinary patient care. Advances in radiation, particularly intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy, are believed to be propelling research growth, and the lack of level I evidence underscores the need for more rigorous studies to refine treatment protocols for sacrococcygeal chordomas.

[Treatment options for coccygodynia]. / Therapieoptionen bei der Coccygodynie.

BACKGROUND: To this day, patients with coccyx problems are the most frequently underestimated patient population in orthopedic practices. The clinical picture of coccygodynia was first described in 1859. Nevertheless, discussions about the importance of coccyx problems remain a tiresome topic. All patients have in common that they have gone through a long ordeal with many therapists, examinations and therapeutic approaches without having received a real diagnosis. DIAGNOSTIC: The main symptom of coccygodynia is the pain directly on the lowest segment of the coccyx, which often only occurs when sitting and is intensified by the change in position, usually from a sitting to a standing position. Trauma can only be described as the trigger in 50% of cases. Women are four times more likely to be affected than men. The gold standard for imaging should be viewed from standing and seated dynamic lateral radiographs of the coccyx. TREATMENT: After the diagnosis has been made, conservative treatment should first be started with oral NSAIDs, relief with a coccyx cushion with a recess and, if necessary, physiotherapy to strengthen or loosen the pelvic floor. Local infiltrations with a glucocorticoid and local anesthetic directly in the painful area are also often promising. If the symptoms persist for more than 6 months, surgical treatment in the sense of removing the coccyx can be discussed with the patient. The literature shows a success rate of 80-90% if the indication was correct.

Transrectal osteopathic manipulation treatment for chronic coccydynia: feasibility, acceptability and patient-oriented outcomes in a quality improvement project.

CONTEXT: Pain of the coccyx, coccydynia, is a common condition with a substantial impact on the quality of life. Although most cases resolve with conservative care, 10 % become chronic and are more debilitating. Treatment for chronic coccydynia is limited; surgery is not definitive. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is the application of manually guided forces to areas of somatic dysfunction to improve physiologic function and support homeostasis including for coccydynia, but its use as a transrectal procedure for coccydynia in a primary care clinic setting is not well documented. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to conduct a quality improvement (QI) study to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical effects of transrectal OMT for chronic coccydynia in a primary care setting. METHODS: This QI project prospectively treated and assessed 16 patients with chronic coccydynia in a primary care outpatient clinic. The intervention was transrectal OMT as typically practiced in our clinic, and included myofascial release and balanced ligamentous tension in combination with active patient movement of the head and neck. The outcome measures included: acceptance, as assessed by the response rate (yes/no) to utilize OMT for coccydynia; acceptability, as assessed by satisfaction with treatment; and coccygeal pain, as assessed by self-report on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) for coccydynia while lying down, seated, standing, and walking. RESULTS: Sixteen consecutive patients with coccydynia were offered and accepted OMT; six patients also received other procedural care. Ten patients (two males, eight females) received only OMT intervention for their coccydynia and were included in the per-protocol analysis. Posttreatment scores immediately after one procedure (acute model) and in follow-up were significantly improved compared with pretreatment scores. Follow-up pain scores provided by five of the 10 patients demonstrated significant improvement. The study supports transrectal OMT as a feasible and acceptable treatment option for coccydynia. Patients were satisfied with the procedure and reported improvement. There were no side effects or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the use of transrectal OMT for chronic coccydynia is feasible and acceptable; self-reported improvement suggests utility in this clinic setting. Further evaluation in controlled studies is warranted.

Coccygeal Disc Disease as a Possible Cause of Coccygodynia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to describe the causes involved in the pathophysiology of coccydynia, emerging from the coccyx or the anatomical tailbone region. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 64-year-old man with pain in the coccyx and numbness in the perianal area. After clinical examination and imaging evaluation, including plain X-rays and magnetic resonance, coccygeal disc disease was identified. Other findings, such as tumor and fracture were excluded. We decided to undertake conservative management and the pain was eventually relieved. This is the first case report of coccygodynia and perianal numbness attributed to coccygeal disc disease. CONLCUSION: Although there is no standard treatment, coexisting coccygeal disc disease should be always taken into account, with clinical and imaging examinations being considered of major importance to establish both medical diagnosis and treatment.

Case Report: Labor induced coccydynia associated with Modic I changes successfully treated with platelet-rich plasma.

Imaging can aid in determining potential causes of coccygeal pain and therefore guide clinicians to carry out individualized treatment. We represent a case of postpartum coccydynia treated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) which was assessed and followed by MRI. A primipara with uncomplicated labor developed coccygeal pain after delivery that significantly limited her postpartum recovery. On the first MR scan, recorded 6 months after delivery, there were edematous changes of the vertebral endplates of Co1-4 level (Modic type I) with the presence of pronounced precoccygeal venous drainage. Degenerative changes with signs of edema in the area of the pubic symphysis were recorded. The sacroiliac joints had regular morphological features. Since the patient was breastfeeding, PRP therapy was applied with a total of three injections in the area of the coccyx subcutaneously, once every 3 months. The subjective feeling of pain reduction after each injection was about 30%, with the complete withdrawal of pain after one year and still pain-free at the two-year follow-up. One year after the initial MR imaging, a follow-up MR examination was performed, where almost complete resolution of edematous changes in the previously present zones was observed, with residual minor edema of the vertebral endplates at the Co2-3 level. Edema of the pubic bones in the area of the pubic symphysis also subsided. A case of labor-induced coccydynia that was represented as Modic type I changes without neither fracture or luxation was successfully treated with PRP with complete resolution of symptoms.

The overlooked symptom of coccydynia: evaluation of sacrococcygeal morphologic and morphometric findings.

BACKGROUND: Coccydynia is one of the most overlooked symptoms in daily clinical practice. Definitions for radiologic evaluation are controversial. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the morphology and morphometric measurements of the sacrococcygeal region with those of a healthy population to support radiologic decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 26 traumatic and 50 idiopathic cases of coccydynia as well as 74 healthy control cases were retrospectively compared. The morphologic type of the coccyx, the presence of fusion, and the number of coccygeal segments were evaluated in both groups. Morphometric parameters such as sacrococcygeal angle (SCA), sacrococcygeal joint angle (SCJA), intercoccygeal angle (ICA), sacral slope (SS), coccyx curved length (CCL), sacrum curved length (SCL), coccyx length (CL), sacrum length (SL), and sacrococcygeal total length (SCTL) were investigated. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the coccydynia group and the healthy control group in morphologic parameters such as female gender, coccyx segment, coccyx morphology, presence of sacrococcygeal joint, and segment of sacrococcygeal joint fusion (p < 0.05). In morphologic measurements, SCJA, SCL, SL, coccyx and sacrum curvature indexes were significantly increased (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the morphologic and morphometric parameters evaluated when compared with the duration of coccydynia (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: An increase in the SCJA, SCL, SL, SCI, and coccyx curvature index measurements predisposes to coccydynia. It would be more accurate to perform radiological evaluation by familiarization with these morphologic and morphometric parameters.

Traumatic coccydynia patients benefit from coccygectomy more than patients undergoing coccygectomy for non-traumatic causes.

PURPOSE: Conservative treatment is the first step in the management of coccydynia. However, surgical treatment is required in cases where conservative treatment fails. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of traumatic and atraumatic etiologies on functional outcomes in patients who underwent coccygectomy for chronic coccydynia. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who underwent partial coccygectomy between October 2010 and December 2018 for the diagnosis of chronic coccygodynia were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to etiologies as atraumatic (group AT) and traumatic (group T). Concomitant disorders of the patients were recorded as psychiatric and musculoskeletal diseases. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for low back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale, Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary and Short Form-36 Mental Component Summary were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes pre- and postoperative at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 67.3 ± 13.9 (range; 44-115) months. Group AT and group T included 48 (mean age 37.1 ± 11.3 and 36 (75%) female) and 49 patients (mean age 36 ± 11 and 35 (71.4%) female), respectively. The groups were statistically similar in terms of age (p = 0.614), gender (p = 0.691), body mass index (p = 0.885), tobacco usage (p = 0.603) and duration of pain (p = 0.073). However, the rate of musculoskeletal and total concomitant disorders was higher in the Group AT than in Group T (p < 0.05). The average preoperative SF-36 MCS and SF-36 PCS scores improved at the last follow-up from 43.3 ± 6.2 and 35.6 ± 4.9 to 72 ± 14.1 and 58.3 ± 10.9, respectively. The preoperative VAS and ODI decreased from 8 ± 1.4 and 39.8 ± 8.5 to 2.6 ± 1.8 and 13.4 ± 8.9 at the last follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Successful results were obtained with surgical treatment in chronic coccygodynia. In addition, functional outcomes in patients with traumatic etiology are better than in atraumatic ones. Levels of evidence Level III; Retrospective Comparative Study.

Coccydynia: anatomic origin and considerations regarding the effectiveness of injections for pain management.

Coccydynia is a debilitating pain disorder. However, its pathophysiology is not well understood. When approaching coccydynia, the exact underlying cause of pain must be identified to develop an appropriate treatment plan. The specific approach to coccydynia can vary depending on an individual's condition and the underlying cause. Thorough evaluation by a pain physician is essential to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The purpose of this review is to examine the various causes contributing to coccygeal pain and specifically focus on the exact anatomical neurostructures, such as the anococcygeal nerve, perforating cutaneous nerve, and ganglion impar. We also reviewed the relevant clinical outcomes and suggested recommendations for each anatomical structure.

Pelvic pain in women after childbirth and physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: There are many types of pelvic pain. Pelvic plexus pain, coccyx pain, pain from episiotomy scars, and vulvodynia are frequently seen in postpartum women. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies on pelvic pain in postpartum women to assess the effect of physiotherapy interventions on each type of pain. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching on PubMed, Ovid Embase and Scopus Web of Science using the key words - pelvic pain, women after childbirth, pelvic girdle pain, coccygodynia, episiotomy, vulvodynia, and physiotherapy. The author reviewed all the identified articles and selected articles for inclusion according to relevance to the topic. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of the above studies, it can be concluded that a comprehensive physiotherapy designed for postpartum women that includes manual techniques, behavioral techniques, relaxation of hypo-tonic and shortened muscles and strengthening of hypotonic muscles can positively affect a wide range of pain and associated dysfunctions of the pelvic floor and trunk muscles.

Ultrasound-Guided vs. Blind Coccygeal Corticosteroid Injections for Chronic Coccydynia: A Randomized, Clinical Trial.

Background: Corticosteroid injection is frequently used for chronic coccydynia management. Ultrasonography can be used to improve the accuracy of the injection. This study aims to assess the clinical outcome of ultrasound-guided compared to blind coccygeal injection in chronic coccydynia. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic coccydynia were randomized into two groups and received a coccygeal corticosteroid injection at maximum tenderness point: 15 patients with and 15 patients without ultrasound guidance. The patient's pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS) at 1-, 4-, 8-, and 24-week postinjection. Furthermore, the Dallas Pain Questionnaire was assessed before injection; also, four and eight weeks after treatment. The quality of life of patients was evaluated before an assessment and four weeks after the intervention by the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: The VAS score decreased significantly 24-week after the intervention in both ultrasound-guided and blinded groups (P < .001), without any significant difference between the groups (P = .964). Similarly, the Dallas pain scale had a significant decrease at eight weeks after intervention in both groups (P < .001) with no significant difference between the groups (P = .972). Although there was a significant improvement in the patient's quality of life in each group eight weeks after the intervention, it was not significantly different between the two groups. Neither of the treatment groups had any adverse effects associated with the injection. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in the clinical outcome of coccygeal ultrasound-guided vs. blind steroid injection for chronic coccydynia.

Angiolipoma sacro. Reporte de un caso / Sacral angiolipoma. A case report

Fundamento: Los angiolipomas son tumores benignos que se presentan en adultos con una localización, preferentemente, en el espacio epidural posterior torácico. Objetivo: Presentar un caso que debutó con un traumatismo axial lumbosacro donde se evidenció una localización poco común de la lesión y sin relación con las estructuras del canal raquídeo. Presentación del caso: Hombre de 25 años que se cayó y debido a ello se le hizo un traumatismo directo en la región sacrococcígea con dolor y aumento de volumen regional, asociado a parestesias glúteas. Los estudios radiológicos evidenciaron una fractura del cóccix y la presencia de una lesión ubicada en las partes blandas, de aspecto redondeado, homogéneo, sólido, de poco más de 50 mm de diámetro. Se le realizó tratamiento quirúrgico que consistió en coccigectomía subperióstica y exéresis macroscópica de la masa. El estudio histológico concluyó el diagnóstico de un angiolipoma. Conclusiones: Los angiolipomas son tumores raros que tienen características radiológicas peculiares, requieren de alta sospecha clínico-imagenológica para indicar los estudios y el tratamiento. La exéresis total es recomendada para evitar la recurrencia y mejorar el pronóstico.

Background: Angiolipomas are benign tumors that appear in adults with special location in the posterior thoracic epidural position. Objective: To present a case that appeared with a lumbosacral axial trauma where a non-common lesion location was evidenced with no relation among the structures of the spinal canal. Case presentation: 25-year-old man who fell down, consequently suffered a painful direct trauma to the sacrococcygeal region and increased regional volume, associated with gluteal paresthesias. Radiological studies showed a fracture of the coccyx and presence of a lesion located in the soft tissues, with a rounded, homogeneous, solid aspect, a little more than 50 mm in diameter. Surgical treatment consisted of subperiosteal coccygectomy and macroscopic excision of the mass. Histological study concluded the diagnosis of an angiolipoma. Conclusions: Angiolipomas are rare tumors with peculiar radiological features, they require high clinical-imaging suspicion for studies and treatment. Total excision is recommended to avoid recurrence and improve prognosis.

Coccyx subluxation: Coccyx pain aggravated by the prone position.

A 33-year-old woman presented with coccyx pain since her first vaginal delivery. On lateral plain radiographs, the tailbone was subluxated and dislocated ventrally.

Clinical Outcomes of Coccygectomy for Coccydynia: A Single Institution Series With Mean 5-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies of coccygectomy consist of small patient groups, heterogeneous techniques, and high wound complication rates (up to 22%). This study investigates our institution's experience with coccygectomy using a novel "off-center" wound closure technique and analyzes prognostic factors for long-term successful clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent coccygectomy from 2006 to 2019 at a single center. Demographics, mechanism of injury, conservative management, morphology (Postacchini and Massobrio), and postoperative complications were collected. Preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29), and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were compared. Risk factors for failing to meet minimum clinically importance difference for ODI and PROMIS-physical function/pain interference were identified. Risk factors for remaining disabled after surgery (ODI <20) and factors associated with VAS and EQ-5D improvement were investigated using stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients (77% women, mean age = 46.56 years, mean follow-up 5.58 ± 3.95 years). The most common etiologies of coccydynia were spontaneous/unknown (42.2%) and trauma/accident (41%). ODI, VAS, and several PROMIS-29 domains improved postoperatively. Older age predicted continued postoperative disability (ODI >20) and history of prior spine surgery, trauma etiology, and women had inferior outcomes. No history of spine surgery (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) prior to coccygectomy was found to predict improved postoperative VAS back scores. No outcome differences were demonstrated among the coccyx morphologies. Sixteen patients (9.25%) were noted to have postoperative infections of the incision site with no difference in long-term outcomes (all P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series of coccygectomy patients demonstrating improvement in long-term outcomes. Compared to previous studies, our cohort had a lower wound infection rate, which we attribute to an "off-center" closure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients should be counseled that their surgical history, along with age, gender, and etiology of pain can influence success following coccygectomy. These data can help surgeons set realistic expectations following surgery.

The effects of the pressure on the coccygeal skin on the perception of backward-leaning sitting positions in stroke patients.

The present study investigated the effects of an additional pressure stimulus on coccygeal skin using an original tool to evaluate the perceptibility of sitting while leaning backward in 13 chronic stroke patients who were able to walk independently and 12 age-matched healthy subjects. Each participant's perception of the trunk reference angle at which they felt the highest-pressure stimulation of the coccygeal skin while leaning backward from a quiet sitting position was evaluated based on the accuracy of each reproduction under both normal and additional pressure conditions. The absolute error under the pressure condition was significantly smaller than that under the normal condition in the control group, while no marked difference between conditions was found in the stroke group. The relationship between the absolute error under the normal condition and the pressure effect index showed a significant negative correlation in the stroke group. In stroke patients with a high trunk position perceptibility under the normal condition, the additional pressure information may have functioned as a disturbance and reduced the position perceptibility. In contrast, stroke patients with a low perceptibility in the normal condition may have been able to re-weight and prioritize the additional pressure information in the reference frame. In the control group, the added pressure information may have been re-weighted as prior position information in the reference frame.

A novel radiological classification for displaced os coccyx: the Benditz-König classification.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of coccygodynia is still a challenging entity. Clear surgical selection criteria are still lacking. The aim of the investigation was to establish a novel radiological classification for surgical decision-making in coccygodynia cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of standing and sitting X-rays of coccygodynia patients referred to a single centre from 2018 to 2020. The sacro-coccygeal angle (SCA), the intra-coccygeal angle (ICA) and the difference of the intervertebral disc height (∆IDH) were measured. All coccyges were distributed in subtypes and correlated with the patients' treatment. RESULTS: In total, 138 patients (female/male: 103/35) with a mean age of 45.6 ± 15.4 years were included in the study. In total, 49 patients underwent coccygectomy. Four different subtypes of displaced coccyges were identified: Type I with a non-segmented coccyx, anterior pivot, increased SCA and ICA from standing to sitting, ∆IDH = 1.0 ± 1.5 mm. Type II with a multisegmented coccyx, anterior pivot, increased SCA and ICA standing/sitting, ∆IDH = 1.1 ± 1.6 mm. Type III showed a posterior pivoted coccyx, negative SCA and ICA, ∆IDH = 0.6 ± 1.6 mm. Type IV is characterized by an anterior-posterior dissociation of the tail bone with a positive SCA, and the ICA shifted from a posterior to an anterior orientation. ∆IDH was - 0.6 ± 1.8 mm. CONCLUSION: The presented radiological classification could help to facilitate the surgical decision-making for patients with displaced os coccyx. In addition, lateral and sitting X-rays were easy to perform and did not need unnecessary ionizing radiation like in CT scans and were more cost-effective than MRI investigations. The subtypes III and especially IV were more likely leading to surgery.

Coccygectomy for refractory coccygodynia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We sought to systematically assess and summarize the available literature on outcomes following coccygectomy for refractory coccygodynia. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data concerning patient demographics, validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for pain relief, disability outcomes, complications, and reoperation rates were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies (18 retrospective and 3 prospective) were included in the quantitative analysis. A total of 826 patients (females = 75%) received coccygectomy (720 total and 106 partial) for refractory coccygodynia. Trauma was reported as the most common etiology of coccygodynia (56%; n = 375), followed by idiopathic causes (33%; n = 221). The pooled mean difference (MD) in pain scores from baseline on a 0-10 scale was 5.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.35 to 6.86) at a 6-12 month follow-up (FU); 5.02 (95% CI: 3.47 to 6.57) at > 12-36 months FU; and 5.41 (95% CI: 4.33 to 6.48) at > 36 months FU. The MCID threshold for pain relief was surpassed at each follow-up. Oswestry Disability Index scores significantly improved postoperatively, with a pooled MD from baseline of - 23.49 (95% CI: - 31.51 to - 15.46), surpassing the MCID threshold. The pooled incidence of complications following coccygectomy was 8% (95% CI: 5% to 12%), the most frequent of which were surgical site infections and wound dehiscence. The pooled incidence of reoperations was 3% (95% CI: 1% to 5%). CONCLUSION: Coccygectomy represents a viable treatment option in patients with refractory coccygodynia.