The baby with 2 heads: Doctors remove growth that weighed a kilo from eight-month-old Indian baby

An eight-month-old baby who grew a second
'head' has undergone surgery to have it removed.
Doctors say the second head was a 'parasitic
twin', weighed almost a kilo and had brain tissue
within it.
The child, known as Tofajjal, was suffering from a
rare disease called encephalomeningocele, said to
affect one in 40,000-45,000 babies.
An eight-month-old baby who grew a second head
has undergone surgery to have it removed.
Doctors say the second head was a 'parasitic
twin', weighed almost a kilo and had brain tissue
within it
The child, known as Tofajjal, was suffering from a
rare disease called encephalomeningocele, said to
affect one in 40,000-45,000 babies
He has now had the 'head' removed in a
painstaking five-hour
operation, health.india.com reported.
Neuro-surgeon Sisir Das, from Kolkata's Apollo
Gleneagles Hospital, told journalists outside:
'Tofajjal was born with a rare deformity – there
was a second head maturing on top of his head.
'I have never operated on such a big lesion. It was
a very critical operation and slightest slip-up
during the vital surgery might have ended the life
of the baby.'
He added that even returning Tofajjal to
his parents was a challenge, as they live in a very
remote village.
Tofajjal's father said he had all but given up hope
that his son's condition could be treated. 'Most of
the doctors and relatives in Tripura told us that
our baby would not be cured and he might die
soon, [so] we took him to Kolkata in a critical
condition,' said Shah Alam Mia, who works as a
driver.
Tofajjal's parents Shah Alam Mia and Sabia
Khatun said they had all but given up hope that
their son's condition could be treated
Tofajjal has now had the 'head' removed in a
painstaking five-hour operation and is said to be
recovering well
His wife added: [No-one] said that my child would
live. But with the blessings of Allah, I am taking
him back home.
Encephalomeningocele is a form of neural tube
defect more often seen in patients living in
Southeast Asia than elsewhere.
In this condition, both brains appear protruded.
Doctors say Tofajjal has already shown signs of
speedy recovery post the surgery and it is hoped
he will be able to lead a relatively normal life.

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