Foetus-in-fetu : an Unusual Cause of Abdominal Mass in the Newborn

• Published in: Acta chirurgica belgica Vol. 109; no. 1; pp. 130 - 132
• Main Authors: BOUYAHIA, O, BOUAFIF, F, GHARSALLAH, L, HAMZAOUI, M, MEFTAH, N, MAZIGH MRAD, S, BOUKTHIR, S, SAMMOUD EL GHARBI, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bruxelles Acta Medica Belgica 2009
• Subjects: Abdomen - abnormalities; Biological and medical sciences; Bromhexine; Calcinosis - etiology; Calcinosis - pathology; Female; Fetal Death - pathology; Fetus - abnormalities; General aspects; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Radiography, Abdominal; Twins, Monozygotic; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Sonography; Human; Foetus-in-fetu; Abdomen; Mass; Medicine; Prenatal; Newborn; Treatment; Surgery; abdominal mass; Cause; Echography; Fetus; prenatal ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0001-5458
• DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2009.11680392

Foetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a rare congenital condition in which a vertebrate foetus is incorporated within its twin. The authors report the case of a newborn girl with prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of an intra-abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a heterogeneous cystic mass containing multiple calcifications. The patient had a laparotomy at 18 days of age with excision of a well-encapsulated 6 x 5 cm retroperitoneal mass, containing many organs. Anatomicopathologic examination showed a relatively well-differentiated FIF attached to an amniotic sac by a rudimentary umbilical cord. Encephalon, coroidal plexus, vertebral bodies, rudimentary limbs, thyroid gland and teeth were identified. The postoperative period was uneventful.