Giant sacrococcygeal teratoma in an infant: a case report with a literature review.

Abstract

A sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare embryonal tumor that emerges in the sacrococcygeal area. It affects one in every 35000-40000 live births. Herein, we report a case of a substantial SCT in a neonate. A neonate girl from consanguineous parents was delivered by cesarean section with a large mass (18×17cm) in the sacrococcygeal area. The baby's birth weight was 5kg, of which 2.5 belonged to the mass. The vital signs were within normal ranges and she had weak movement with bluish peripheral limbs. Oxygen saturation was around 85% for a short period after birth. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Surgical Section, the tumor was type I. After the fifth day of delivery, a complete resection was done through a chevron incision. The patient was put on 'nil by mouth' for about 24h and given intravenous fluid. The histopathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed extragonadal immature teratoma. The histological classification of SCT is divided into three types: malignant teratomas (consisting of malignant germ cells); immature teratomas (incompletely differentiated structures with a high risk of malignancy or embryonal components); and mature teratomas (fully differentiated tissues). SCT has rarely been reported as a giant mass. Radiologic examinations in the early stages of pregnancy may be essential to the early diagnosis of the condition.