Pulsatile giant sacrococcygeal teratoma appearing like 2nd head

• Published in: Child's nervous system 2024-06, Vol.40 (6), p.1953-1956
• Main Authors: Acharya, Abhijit, Mahapatra, A. K., Panigrahi, Souvagya, Deo, Ram Chandra, Senapati, Satya Bhusan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery
• ISSN: 0256-7040; 1433-0350; 1433-0350
• DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06324-9

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a congenital tumor of early infancy. Eighty percent are present in the first month of life. It is considered to be an extragonadal germ cell tumor that can be diagnosed in utero. It is considered to be a rare tumor in infancy and childhood. Incidences in girls are more common as compared to boys. Association with other congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and urological manifestations may be present. Association with spinal dysraphism may be present. A complete systemic evaluation needs to be done before any surgical intervention. We hereby present you a case of a 5-day-old male child, born from a non-consanguineous marriage, who presented to us with a large swelling at the coccygeal region. The mass had a variegated consistency with an ear-like appendage over it with associated hair, bones, and necrotic tissue in it. The patient was evaluated with imaging (MRI) which revealed a heterogeneously enhancing mass at the sacrococcygeal region with mild extension into the pre-sacral space suggesting sacrococcygeal teratoma. After a complete evaluation for congenital abnormal abnormalities of other sites, gross total excision of the mass was performed. The post-operative condition of the baby was uneventful. A biopsy of the mass revealed a mature cystic teratoma. The baby is under follow-up at present.