Perinatal diagnosis and management of oropharyngeal fetus in fetu: A case report

Abstract

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare congenital anomaly. We describe the perinatal diagnosis and management of a fetus with oropharyngeal and cervical fetus in fetu. High-resolution ultrasonography with 3-dimensional rendering can identify increased risks of airway obstruction in utero. Early identification allows a multidisciplinary team to be assembled for a scheduled ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure.

Prenatal diagnosis of a “living” oropharyngeal fetus in fetu: a case report

“…FIF mostly located within the abdomen (80%), skull (8%) and sacral region (8%) [4]. The location of oral/ oropharyngeal was only reported in two prenatal cases [7, 8]. Although the mass in FIF was benign, it may compress surrounding tissues and cause destructive lesions and maldevelopment of surrounding organs.…”

“…For cranial FIF, obstructive hydrocephalus and mental retardation may be associated. For thoracic FIF, dysphagia and even airway obstruction may occur and therefore emergency surgery is needed [7, 8]. Also, for FIF with multiple or large mass, or with abundant blood supply, heart failure and hydrops is the associated risk.…”

“…Here, we describe a unique case of oropharyngeal fetus in fetu with a rudimentary two-chambered heart detected. Prenatal ultrasound is a useful tool to identify well developed organs in the FIF, evaluate the size and spatial relationship of the mass, and help to guide the ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure for newborn FIF [6, 7], or offer the reasonable option of early termination for severe cases.…”

Seltene Erkrankungen der Mundhöhle, des Halses und des Pharynx

“…Therapeutisch kommen chirurgische Maßnahmen sowie Radio-und Chemotherapie zum Einsatz. Bei den HIV-assoziierten und iatrogenen Formen wird zudem eine (soweit möglich) Wiederherstellung der Immunkompetenz angestrebt [212].…”

“…Their prevalence amounts to about 5 or 2%, respectively 2 . An extreme form of a remnant from the embryonic stage is the extremely rare occurrence of an immature twin within the more mature twin ( fetus in fetu ) in the neck area for which only few case reports have been published 207 213 . More frequently, the congenital or acquired misalignment of the neck called torticollis is observed that affects about 0.5% of the population and thus it is not an orphan disease according to the definition 51 .…”