A two-month-old baby shocked doctors after they discovered the foetus of a twin inside him.
The young boy was admitted to the hospital with “abdominal swelling and a palpable mass” measuring 8x12cm on his stomach.
Doctors initially suspected a Wilms tumour or neuroblastoma as potential underlying causes – both of which typically present as large abdominal masses closely related to the kidneys – but were stunned to discover the true reason for his discomfort.
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A contrast-enhanced abdomen CT scan found a ‘lesion’ with soft tissue, fat, fluid and bone components – with an apparent spine, ribs, facial bones and lower limbs.
Under general anaesthesia, the tot underwent surgery to remove the mass, which doctors found was contained within a membranous sac, supplied by major vessels from the aorta.
They were able to successfully separate it from the boy and, upon opening the sac, doctors found an “incompletely formed foetus”, reports Need To Know.
Postexcised image revealed a mass in which an incompletely formed fetus was observed. (Picture: Jam Press)
The foetus was found to have a head of hair, well-developed spine, upper limbs with fingers, and lower limbs with feet and toes.
The fetus exhibited a rudimentary head with hair (anencephaly), a well-developed spine, upper limbs with fingers, and lower limbs with feet and toes. (Picture: Jam Press)
The case is an example of ‘fetus in fetu’ – a rare congenital anomaly which occurs when the vertebrate foetus develops inside the body of its twin sibling.
There are fewer than 200 cases reported to date.
The fetus exhibited a rudimentary head with hair (anencephaly), a well-developed spine, upper limbs with fingers, and lower limbs with feet and toes. (Picture: Jam Press)
The baby was treated in Kabul, Afghanistan, with a report of the case shared in a medical journal late last year.
The tot is believed to be recovering well with no further issues.
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