Infantile fetiform abdominal mass: Teratoma or fetus in fetu? A case report with insights into radiological diagnosis and surgical management

Abstract

Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a rare congenital anomaly in which a malformed parasitic twin develops within the body of a live fetus or child. Abdominal teratoma, a type of germ cell tumor, can be a great imaging mimicker of FIF and vice-versa, as they both can present as a heterogeneous mass with calcifications and a fat component. Radiological differentiation of these 2 entities should be made because of the difference in surgical planning and treatment options. Features such as visualization of distinct bony vertebral elements and encysted cystic components are the specific features of Fetus in fetu [1]. In contrast, the presence of elevated serum markers can help diagnose teratoma. Here, we report a case of a 5-month-old girl presented with progressive distension of the upper abdomen for the last 2 months, noticed by her mother. Her initial imaging with abdominal X-ray and ultrasonography showed the presence of a large heterogenous solid-cystic mass in the upper abdomen with large elongated calcifications. A provisional diagnosis of teratoma vs FIF was considered. CECT abdomen showed clear identification of osseous structures of the axial and appendicular skeleton within a fat density mass, along with an encapsulated cystic component, strongly suggestive of FIF. Her serum tumor markers were within normal limits. The final diagnosis of FIF was confirmed on Laparotomy and postoperative specimens.

Keywords

• Fetus
• Teratoma
• CT scan
• X-ray
• Ultrasonography
• Tumor markers