title: Parasitic twin--a supernumerary limb associated with spinal malformations. A case report.
abstract: We describe a case of rachipagus parasitic twin with spinal cord malformations (lipomyelomeningocele and tethered cord) in a 7-month-old Ethiopian infant. The parasitic mass had a well-formed foot, ankle and lower leg and a small sinus that resembled an anus. Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed spinal malformations including a distal syringohydromyelia. The mass was successfully resected and the dural attachment was closed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, the child had unchanged, intact neurological function in both lower limbs. Almost all rachipagus parasitic twins are associated with spinal malformations. They should, therefore, be operated on by surgeons experienced in myelomeningocele surgery.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Abat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahlu
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Brook
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mesfin
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Abenezer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tirsit
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tequam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Debebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. kgwe@helse-bergen.no.|Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway. kgwe@helse-bergen.no.
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wester
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007866:Leg / Q000002:abnormalities*; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Foetus in foetu; Parasitic twin; Rachipagus; Syringohydromyelia; Teratoma