Fetus in fetu or differentiated teratomas?

Two cases of congenital teratoma were operated upon. In view of the high degree of organoid differentiation of the teratomas with rudimentary limbs, intestine, brain-like and pulmonary tissues, it was difficult to distinguish it from fetus-in-fetu. In the light of the data obtained and extensive review of related literature, we consider that fetus-in-fetu and teratoma may not be unrelated entities. Our cases support the view held that fetuses in fetu are highly differentiated teratomas.

Laparoscopic control of spontaneous external hemorrhage from umbilical varix.

Spontaneous external hemorrhage from an umbilical varix is rare. We describe a 40-year-old man with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, who presented with recurrent external bleeding from an umbilical varix. The first episode was controlled by transfixation of the vein under local anesthesia. Contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrated a hugely distended recanalized umbilical vein arising from the left branch of the portal vein and ending in the umbilical cicatrix. Recurrent bleeding necessitated laparoscopy and in-situ clipping of the bleeding vein in the falciform ligament. At six months' follow up the patient has no further bleeding.