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. 2011 Mar;54(3):133-6.
doi: 10.3345/kjp.2011.54.3.133. Epub 2011 Mar 31.

Misdiagnosis of fetus-in-fetu as meconium peritonitis

Yoon Joo Kim  1 , Se Hyung Sohn, Ju Young Lee, Jin A Sohn, Eun Hee Lee, Ee Kyung Kim, Chang Won Choi, Han Suk Kim, Beyong Il Kim, Jung Hwan Choi
Affiliations

Misdiagnosis of fetus-in-fetu as meconium peritonitis

Yoon Joo Kim et al. Korean J Pediatr. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a rare congenital condition in which a fetiform mass is detected in the host abdomen and also in other sites such as the intracranium, thorax, head, and neck. This condition has been rarely reported in the literature. Herein, we report the case of a fetus presenting with abdominal cystic mass and ascites and prenatally diagnosed as meconium pseudocyst. Explorative laparotomy revealed an irregular fetiform mass in the retroperitoneum within a fluid-filled cyst. The mass contained intestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and finger. Fetal abdominal cystic mass has been identified in a broad spectrum of diseases. However, as in our case, FIF is often overlooked during differential diagnosis. FIF should also be differentiated from other conditions associated with fetal abdominal masses.

Keywords: Fetus in fetu; Meconium peritonitis; Misdiagnosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Perinatal ultrasonography findings included ascites, pseudocyst, and echogenic mass which suggested meconium peritonitis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Simple radiograph after birth showing calcification.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Operative findings suggest a cranial to caudal orientation of fetus-in-fetu.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Pathologic findings (A) Gross specimen resected from the abdomen. (B) Cross-section.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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