Going out on a limb for a difficult diagnosis: a case report

Clin Imaging. 2014 Jan-Feb;38(1):63-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2013.08.013. Epub 2013 Sep 29.

Abstract

Sacral tumors with fetiform features are rare and pose a diagnostic challenge to the ultrasonologist. Sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) and parasitic twins can have very similar sonographic features but have different implications to an affected pregnancy. While postnatal histopathology is ultimately necessary to distinguish between a SCT and a heteropagus twin, certain characteristics, such as the presence of a vertebral column and the pattern and rate of tumor growth, may be useful to guide counseling and management decisions.

Keywords: Heteropagus twin; Prenatal diagnosis; Sacral mass; Sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetal Diseases / pathology
  • Fetal Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / embryology
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Sacrococcygeal Region / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sacrococcygeal Region / embryology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / embryology
  • Teratoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Teratoma / embryology*
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Teratoma / surgery
  • Twins, Conjoined / embryology
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal