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Antenatal diagnosis of a third ventricular mass: fetus in fetu or teratoma?

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Abstract

Background

Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare condition in medicine where an aberrant monozygotic twining results in inclusion of a degenerated fetus inside its twin bearer. Whereas FIF is generally defined as a fetiform vertebrate mass, teratoma is considered as a tumor composed of disorganized tissues derived from the three embryological layers. Recent data plead for a common origin and suggest a continuum between FIF and teratoma.

Case history

We describe the case of an intraventricular mass diagnosed by prenatal imaging and associated with triventricular hydrocephalus. Surgical removal of a non-vertebrate mass covered by normal skin was performed when the child was 15 months old. Now aged of 30 months, the child continues to develop normally. Histological data were in favor of a FIF.

Discussion

We discuss the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and prognosis in the light of data from the recent literature.

Conclusions

Aberrant monozygotic twining leading to inclusion of a degenerate fetus inside its twin bearer results in FIF or teratomas. Surgical removal represents the main treatment. Intracranial FIF remains an extremely rare congenital condition, with a favorable oncological prognosis; the developmental prognosis appears conditioned by the absence of other malformation, the small size of the lesion, and the early management of intracranial hypertension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France

    Dominique Marnet, Matthieu Vinchon & Patrick Dhellemmes

  2. Department of Pathology, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France

    Olivier Kerdraon

  3. Department of Neuropediatrics, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France

    Sylvie Joriot

  4. Department of Pediatric and Antenatal Imaging, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France

    Caroline Chafiotte

  5. 26 rue des Pyramides, 59000, Lille, France

    Dominique Marnet

Authors
  1. Dominique Marnet
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  2. Matthieu Vinchon
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  3. Olivier Kerdraon
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  4. Sylvie Joriot
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  5. Caroline Chafiotte
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  6. Patrick Dhellemmes
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Correspondence to Dominique Marnet.

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Marnet, D., Vinchon, M., Kerdraon, O. et al. Antenatal diagnosis of a third ventricular mass: fetus in fetu or teratoma?. Childs Nerv Syst 24, 887–891 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-008-0641-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-008-0641-5

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