[Giant teratoma of the umbilical cord associated with foetal malformations: a morphological and cytogenetic study]

Umbilical Cord Teratoma - A Short Case Report

Background: Teratomas can occur in the umbilical cord, and may or may not be associated with other congenital abnormalities. Case report: This 35-year-old primigravida gave birth 37-38 weeks to a 3290-g normal female. The umbilical cord, at 10 cm from the abdominal insertion, had an 8 cm mature teratoma. Work-up revealed no other abnormalities. Discussion: Mature teratomas may occur in the umbilical cord, and may or may not have additional clinical sequalae.

Placenta Teratoma or Acardiac Fetus Amorphous: A Case Study by DNA Genotyping

To date, 40 cases of placental teratoma and 21 cases of umbilical cord teratoma have been reported in the literature. Such entities are purportedly described as originating from ectopically derived totipotential germ cells forming 1 or more of 3 germ layers, similar to teratomas arising in other sites. These entities have been described as distinct from acardiac twins based on the absence of both an axial skeleton and/or separate umbilical cord attachment. We present a case that would be compatible with placental teratoma according to these criteria. However, DNA genotyping analysis of the "teratoma" and its corresponding normal placental tissue revealed an identical genetic profile at all microsatellite polymorphic loci with exception of one locus demonstrating loss of heterozygosity involving 1 of 2 "teratoma" samples tested. Our finding established that the "teratoma" in fact represented a monozygotic acardiac (amorphous) twin with aberrant division of embryogenesis as a continuum of the monozygotic twinning phenomenon. In summary, this is the first case study of so-called placental teratoma by DNA genotyping investigation. We conclude that the diagnostic term "placental teratoma" should be discouraged unless evidence of monozygotic twining can be ruled out by molecular genotyping.

A fetus with an immature umbilical cord teratoma associated with exomphalos: case report and review of the literature

Objective: To describe the antenatal and pathological features of an immature umbilical cord teratoma associated with exomphalos, and to review the literature on this subject. Case presentation: An abdominal wall defect, suspected to be an exomphalos, was identified during routine ultrasound examination performed at 13 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy was terminated. Fetopathological examination revealed an immature umbilical cord teratoma associated with exomphalos. Chromosomal microarray analysis was normal. Conclusions: Umbilical cord teratomas, albeit very rare, should be emphasized as a possible differential diagnosis when abdominal wall defects are detected. Since cord teratomas may lead to adverse fetal or neonatal outcomes, close follow-up of the fetus is recommended.

Umbilical Cord Teratomas Associated With Congenital Malformations

CONTEXT.—

Congenital mature teratomas of the umbilical cord are extremely rare and pose a challenge in prenatal diagnosis. Mature teratomas are defined as tumors composed of mature tissues derived from more than 1 germ cell layer. The tumor often shows solid and cystic components, which adds to the difficulty of prenatal diagnosis. Although benign, mature teratomas of the umbilical cord are commonly associated with congenital malformations of the fetus with variable severity and rarely, with chromosomal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE.—

To review the clinical, radiologic, gross, and histologic features of umbilical cord teratoma; its differential diagnosis; and to emphasize the increased risk of associated congenital malformations.

DATA SOURCES.—

Umbilical cord teratoma cases published in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS.—

Umbilical cord teratomas are difficult to diagnose by imaging studies alone and require histopathologic examination for diagnosis. Given the increased risk of associated anomalies and malformations, the finding of umbilical cord teratoma should trigger a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of the neonate for additional abnormalities.

Modern Ultrasonography of the Umbilical Cord: Prenatal Diagnosis of Umbilical Cord Abnormalities and Assessement of Fetal Wellbeing

The umbilical cord is the only connection between the mother and the fetus, through which it is possible to transport respiratory gases, nutrients, and metabolites. Thanks to the umbilical cord, the fetus has also the ability to move, which is necessary for its proper psychomotor development. The correct structure and function of umbilical vessels and the entire umbilical cord determine the possibility of proper development and survival of the fetus. Umbilical cord anatomy should be assessed in the ultrasound examination in the first trimester. It is of vital importance to confirm the correct number of umbilical vessels and their intra-abdominal course, as well as carefully assessing the abdominal and placental insertion sites. In the latter half of pregnancy, the use of the Doppler imaging enables assessment of the function of the fetal-placental vessels, thus providing valuable information about the condition of the fetus.

Immature teratoma at umbilicus region presenting as exomphalos: A case report with review of literature

Umbilical cord neoplasms are rare. Teratomas, which are accepted as the only true neoplasms at this site, are exceptional. These tumors are polymorphic in their presentation and are often associated with other abnormalities, with exomphalos being the most common abnormality. Histologically these tumors show mature tissues from all the three-germ layers. Immature elements as seen in our case are rare. Germ cells which have gone astray during embryonic development are thought to be the cells of origin of these tumors.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal umbilical cord teratoma

Umbilical cord teratomas are rare tumoral lesions of umbilical cord which have challenging antenatal diagnosis. The cord teratomas contain tissue from all three germ layers and have both cystic and solid components. This ultrasonographic appearance may help the clinician to clarify the correct diagnosis. We report a case of cord teratoma diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Since cord teratomas may lead to adverse fetal outcomes, close follow-up of the fetus is recommended.