Retroperitoneal teratomas in children

This paper aims to highlight the clinical features, investigations and treatment of retroperitoneal teratomas condition.

12 patients (8 females and 4 males, age range-2 months to 14 yrs) of retroperitoneal teratoma admitted to the department of Pediatric Surgery, King George Medical University, Lucknow between 1980 and 2004 were studied. Investigations included hematology, plain X-ray of the abdomen, intravenous urography, ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT) of the abdomen (after 1990, 8 patients) and serum alpha-fetoprotein assay (after 1991, 6 patients, preoperatively). All patients underwent surgery. Serum alpha-fetoprotein assay was used during follow-up to detect recurrence.

Majority of the tumors were left pararenal in location. In two patients there was bilateral involvement. In all except one, the tumor could be excised easily preserving the kidneys. In one child with a massive cystic tumor with bilateral involvement, the tumor was marsupialised in the first stage and excised subsequently. One child died postoperatively, the other 11 children are well and there has been no tumor recurrence on follow-up.

Retroperitoneal teratomas are uncommon lesions in children mostly arising in close relation to the kidneys. The majority are benign but complete excision is necessary for cure. Even large tumors with bilateral involvement of the retroperitoneum can be excised while preserving adjacent organs. Serum alpha-fetoprotein assay is a reliable method of detecting recurrence.