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Massive congenital orbital teratoma

Journal of Perinatology volume 29, pages 396–397 (2009)Cite this article

The patient underwent orbital exploration with resection of the globe and a large inseparable tumor and also contouring of the lateral margin of the boney orbit and placement of an orbital prosthesis. Pathologic examination of the resected tumor and attached orbit demonstrated a large mature teratoma and a maldeveloped eye with retinal dysplasia.

Orbital teratomas are rare, usually benign, congenital tumors. They have been divided into four different groups: (1) complete orbital fetus-in-fetu—orbitopagus parasiticus, (2) incomplete second fetus including spine, (3) true orbital teratoma with all three germ layers, (4) dermoid tumor with only two germ cell lines.1 The presence of a spinal column and the presence of organized tissues confirm the diagnosis of fetus-in-fetu.2 Well-documented cases of orbital fetus-in-fetu (types 1 and 2) are very rare. Most cases of fetus-in-fetu are intra-abdominal, usually retroperitoneal. Other reported locations include cerebral ventricle, liver, scrotum and oropharynx.3, 4 Most reported cases have been of type 4, dermoid cysts. True orbital teratomas, as in this case, are rare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA

    T E Herman & M J Siegel

  2. Division of Neonatology, Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, St Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA

    A Vachharajani

Authors
  1. T E Herman
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  2. A Vachharajani
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  3. M J Siegel
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Correspondence to T E Herman.

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Herman, T., Vachharajani, A. & Siegel, M. Massive congenital orbital teratoma. J Perinatol 29, 396–397 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.205

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.205

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