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Sacral parasite conjoined twin
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University-Municipal Wan Fan Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
A variant of conjoined twins is one in which one twin is incomplete.
Case:
A female infant was born vaginally at 40 weeks' gestation to a healthy primipara. No important abnormalities were noted during prenatal examinations. The infant was fully developed in all external aspects except for a parasitic body conjoined with her sacrococcygeal region. Separated by operation 2 weeks after birth, the parasite contained lower limbs, adipose tissue, muscles, and a bowel sac. Over 4 years of observation, no abnormalities have been found since the operation.
Conclusion:
Obstetricians should be aware of the existence of a parasite twin during prenatal examinations and of the importance of the differential diagnosis of parasite and teratoma, a neoplasm with malignant potential.