Sacrococcygeal heart: a very rare differentiation in teratoma. |
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Authors: | A Kazez I H Ozercan F S Erol M Faik Ozveren E Parmaksiz |
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Institution: | Department of Paediatric Surgery, Firat University Medical Faculty, Elazi?, Turkey. akazez@firat.edu.tr |
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Abstract: | A mature teratoma was identified in a two-month-old girl who was operated for a sacrococcygeal mass. The cystic components of the mass were accidentally opened during surgery, and a solid, rudimentary organ resembling a heart emerged. It had a vascular pedicle and a pulsation like cardiac activity different from the infant's heart rate. The mass was totally excised together with the coccyx, and in histological examinations, it was diagnosed as a mature teratoma and a rudimentary heart. To the best of our knowledge, the case presented in this report is only the second case of a cardiac development in a teratoma in the literature. In the light of data obtained about this case and related literature, we consider that fetus-in-fetu and teratoma may not be irrelevant entities, and that they possibly have the same developmental malformation. We also suggest that such an intermediate case is a combination of fetus-in-fetu and teratoma. |
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