Fetus in Fetu – a rare entity

Year 2013, Volume: 5 , - , 25.05.2013

Savithri Ravindra , Geethamani V Sreedhara Murthy

Abstract

Fetus-in-fetu is a rare condition, secondary to abnormal embryogenesis in a twin pregnancy. The malformed parasitic fetus is found in the body of its twin. It presents as a fetiform mass, usually in the abdomen of a newborn or an infant. The incidence is 1 per 500,000 births. It is a pathologic entity distinct from teratoma. Current imaging techniques may allow a correct pre-operative or a prenatal diagnosis of the condition.
We present a case of a 2 month old male baby with abdominal distension noticed in the first week of life. The 'mass' was removed, the gross and microscopic features confirmed the diagnosis of Fetus-In-Fetu .

key words: abdominal mass, fetus, fetus in fetu, parasitic twin, twin pregnancy.

Keywords

abdominal mass, fetus, fetus in fetu, parasitic twin, twin pregnancy

References

• Hoeffel CC, Nguyen KQ, Phan HT, Truong NH, Nguyen TS, Tran TT, et al . Fetus in fetu: A case report and literature review. Pediatrics 2000;105:1335-44. Khalifa NM, Maximous DW, Abd-Elsayed AA. Fetus in fetu: a case report. J med case reports 2008,2-2.
• Brand A, Alves MC, Saraiva C, Loio P, Goulao J, Malta J, Palminha JM, Martins M. Fetus in fetu– diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis- a case report and literature review. J Paediatr Surg 2004:39: 616Arlikar JD, Mane SB,Dhende NP, Sanghavi Y, Valand AG, Butale PR. Fetus in fetu: two case reports and review of literature . Paed surg int 2009;25:289-92.
• Daga BV, Chaudhary VA, Ingle AS, Dhamangaokar VB, Jadhav DP, Kulkarni PA. Double fetus-in-fetu: CT scan diagnosis in an adult. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2009; 19:216-8
• Lee CC, Liu KL, Tsang YM, Chen SJ, Liu HM .Fetus in fetu in an adult:ndiagnosis by computed tomography imaging. J formos Med Assoc 2005;104 :203-5.
• Massad MG, Kong L, Benedetti E, Resnick D, Ghosh L, Geha AS, Abcarian H. Dysphagia caused by a fetus-in-fetu in a 27year-old man. Ann thorac surg. 2001;71: 1338Mohan H, Chhabra S, Handa U. Fetus-infetu: a rare entity. Fetal diagn Ther 2007:22: 195Dagradi AD, Mangiante GL, Serio GF, Musajo FG, Menestrina FV. Fetus-in-fetu removal in a 47-year old man. Surgery 1992;112:598-692.
• Chua JH, Chui CH, Sai Prasad TR, Jabcobsen AS, Meenakshi A, Hwang WS. Fetus-in-fetu in the pelvis: Report of a case and literature review. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2005;34:646-9.
• Magnus KG, Millar AJ, Sinclair-smith CC, Rode H. Intrahepatic fetus in fetu: a case report and review of literature. J Paedatr Surg.1999;34:1861-4.
• Beaudoin S, Gouizi G, Mezzine S, Wann AR, Barbet P. Mediastinal fetus in fetu: Case report and embryological discussion. Fetal Diagn Ther 2004;19:453-5.