Fetus in fetu: two case reports and literature review

BMC Pediatrics

Bo Xiang³  Caihong Li²  Qi Wang³  Feiteng Kong³  Shuguang Jin³  Xiaoping Jiang³  Lin Zhong³  Siyuan Chen¹  Yi Ji³ 

[1] Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37# Guo-Xue-Xiang, Chengdu 610041, China

关键词: Treatment;    Preoperative diagnosis;    Teratoma;    Fetus in fetu;   

Others  :  1138926
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2431-14-88

 received in 2013-10-16, accepted in 2014-03-29,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Fetus in fetu is a rare congenital anomaly and is defined as a monozygotic twin incorporated into the abdomen of its sibling during development. Fetus in fetu is often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of an abdominal mass. Unlike teratomas, fetus in fetu is a benign disorder.

Case presentation

We describe the clinical characteristics of two patients, a thirty-months old boy who was found to have abdominal distension and a neonate who was diagnosed antenatally with abdominal mass. Computed tomography scan revealed the mass in which the contents favor a fetus in fetu rather than a teratoma. Surgical removal revealed that the anencephalic fetus have limb buds situated relative to a palpable vertebral column, supporting the diagnosis of fetus in fetu. In the present report, presentation, diagnosis, pathology, management, and recent literature are also reviewed.

Conclusion

Fetus in fetu is a rare entity that typically presents in infancy and early childhood. It should be differentiated from a teratoma because of the teratoma’s malignant potential. Preoperative diagnosis is based on radiologic findings. The treatment of fetus in fetu is operative to relieve obstruction, prevent further compression and possible complications. Complete excision allows confirmation of the diagnosis and lowers the risk of recurrence.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Ji et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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