Gastric teratoma in infants

Abstract

Gastric teratoma is a rare condition, particularly in pediatric patients. Only twenty-three cases have previously been reported in the literature. A case of gastric teratoma in an eight month old male infant is presented. The main clinical features were progressive enlargement of the abdomen, hematemesis, and melena. At laparotomy, an ovoid mass originating in the posterior wall of the stomach was found. Histologic findings consisted of structures derived from the different germ layers, particularly cartilage, bone, and glandular formations resembling small intestine. The clinical and pathologic findings in these cases are reviewed and therapeutic considerations are presented.