Dysphagia caused by a fetus-in-fetu in a 27-year-old man

Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 Apr;71(4):1338-41. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)02291-8.

Abstract

Mechanical obstruction of the distal esophagus by a fetus-in-fetu is an extremely rare condition that has not been previously reported. We present the case of a 27-year-old man who presented with dysphagia caused by fetus-in-fetu contained within a retroperitoneal cystic cavity. The tumor, noticed since childhood, did not cause any symptoms until a year before presentation when symptoms of dysphagia developed. We propose including this entity in the differential diagnosis of a retroperitoneal mass.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fetus / abnormalities*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Laparotomy
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Teratoma / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Twins