Fetus in fetu is a very rare pathologic condition, presenting as a congenital tumor of infant. This entity is distinguished from teratoma by its embryological origin, its unusual location in the retroperitoneal space, its benignity, and by the
presence
of vertebral organization with limb buds and well-developed organ system. The authors present a retroperitoneal fetus in fetu that was diagnosed prenatally and removed immediately after birth. A 4×10 cm sized cystic mass was containing a
fetus-like
structure and covered by amniotic membrane. It was consisted of vertebral column, cranial bone, extremities, primitive respiratory tract, intestinal mucosa, osteochondral junction and mature chorionic villi. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography,
X-ray
plain film and CT. This is probably a case of fetus in fetu that showed well-developed internal organs.
|