Caution: laparoscopic biopsy of a large pelvic mass may result in disaster

Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare cause of a pelvic mass. Herein the authors describe the case of a young patient presenting with chronic pelvic pain undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy. She was found to have a retrorectal mass confirmed as an anterior sacral meningocele on subsequent MRI. The authors explore the case, describe a method of intraoperative management to minimize the risk of severe complications and include a discussion of the differential diagnosis. Central to this is an emphasis on advocating a cautious approach when confronted with an incidental unknown pelvic mass, as deleterious consequences may occur from biopsy of such a lesion.