Sacral parasite conjoined twin.
BACKGROUND
A variant of conjoined twins is one in which one twin is incomplete.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Chou
S Y
SY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University-Municipal Wan Fan Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Liang
S J
SJ
Wu
C F
CF
Hsu
C S
CS
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000601:surgery