Twin fetus in fetu with immature teratoma: a case report and review of the literature

Arch Iran Med. 2009 Sep;12(5):507-10.

Abstract

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare condition in which a fetus or fetus-like structure with a vertebral axis is seen in the body of its twin. This paper presents a case of fetus in fetu in a two- day-old female newborn who was referred for an abdominal mass, biliary vomiting, and feeding intolerance. After plain abdominal X-ray and ultrasonography, the patient underwent abdominal surgery with the primary diagnosis of teratoma or fetus in fetu. We found a retroperitoneal mass that consisted of double fetus in fetu and a separate undetermined mass. The pathologic examination confirmed double fetus in fetu and revealed a separate immature teratoma. She was discharged from the hospital after seven days in a healthy and normal condition. The level of serum alpha-fetoprotein was normal after three months of follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetus / abnormalities*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Teratoma / diagnosis
  • Teratoma / pathology*
  • Teratoma / surgery
  • Twins, Monozygotic*
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins