Fetus in fetu: a very rare cause of abdominal mass in a male infant, case report
- MOJ Clinical & Medical Case Reports
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Ragheb Assaf,1 Imad Alsaeed,1 Imad otba,2 Bassel Banjah,3 Kusay Ayoub1
Abstract
1.1 Introduction: Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare congenital pathology that has an incidence of one in 500 000 births. This pathology mostly occurs in infants who present with variable manifestations such as a painful abdominal mass and other symptoms caused by the compressive effect of the mass on the host's organs. We report a very rare case that was diagnosed for the first time in Syria.
1.2 Case presentation: A 3- month-old male infant was referred to our hospital for abdominal mass associated with hydronephrosis. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal cystic mass containing multiple calcifications and provoking left hydronephrosis. The diagnosis of teratoma was suspected. Surgical exploration was performed to remove the abdominal mass. The resected mass was then diagnosed as Fetus in fetu due to the clinical and radiological findings after searching about similar reported cases in the medical literature . The patient experienced a good health state after that without recurrence.
1.3 Conclusion: Surgeons should keep in their minds this pathology. The diagnosis is made based on a good clinical history and radiological findings. The treatment includes a careful excision of the mass. The patient also should be followed after surgery through clinical examination and radiological investigations
1.1 Introduction: Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare congenital pathology that has an incidence of one in 500 000 births. This pathology mostly occurs in infants who present with variable manifestations such as a painful abdominal mass and other symptoms caused by the compressive effect of the mass on the host's organs. We report a very rare case that was diagnosed for the first time in Syria.
1.2 Case presentation: A 3- month-old male infant was referred to our hospital for abdominal mass associated with hydronephrosis. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal cystic mass containing multiple calcifications and provoking left hydronephrosis. The diagnosis of teratoma was suspected. Surgical exploration was performed to remove the abdominal mass. The resected mass was then diagnosed as Fetus in fetu due to the clinical and radiological findings after searching about similar reported cases in the medical literature . The patient experienced a good health state after that without recurrence.
1.3 Conclusion: Surgeons should keep in their minds this pathology. The diagnosis is made based on a good clinical history and radiological findings. The treatment includes a careful excision of the mass. The patient also should be followed after surgery through clinical examination and radiological investigations.
1.2 Case presentation: A 3- month-old male infant was referred to our hospital for abdominal mass associated with hydronephrosis. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal cystic mass containing multiple calcifications and provoking left hydronephrosis. The diagnosis of teratoma was suspected. Surgical exploration was performed to remove the abdominal mass. The resected mass was then diagnosed as Fetus in fetu due to the clinical and radiological findings after searching about similar reported cases in the medical literature . The patient experienced a good health state after that without recurrence.
1.3 Conclusion: Surgeons should keep in their minds this pathology. The diagnosis is made based on a good clinical history and radiological findings. The treatment includes a careful excision of the mass. The patient also should be followed after surgery through clinical examination and radiological investigations.
Keywords
abdominal , ureter, fetu, vertebral, gestation, mass, fetus, abdominal organ, abdominal mass, monozygotic diamniotic, lumbar vertebra, macroscopic exam
