Thoracolumbar teratoma associated with meningomyelocele: common aetiology or coincidence?

Introduction: The association of teratoma and neural tube defects is very rare. Case report and discussion: A case of teratoma resembling bowel within a meningomyelocele is presented and the literature reviewed. Conclusion: The hypotheses of a possible common aetiology for this association include a single dysembryogenic process and neoplastic transformation of heterotopic primordial elements incorporated in the defect.