Feet tumour

Saturday 3rd January 2009 - 13:15:08

A US baby was discovered to have a pair of human feet embedded in his brain.

Sam Esquibel stunned doctors when they found two feet, a hand and thigh where they thought a tumour would be, during an operation performed when Sam was just three days old.

Doctors believe the discovery could offer a breakthrough in stem-cell research.

Dr. Paul Grabb - who performed the operation - said: "How does the body form complete extremities? Who is to say we can't grow a heart, leg or foot?

"This could show a window of what's possible."

Sam is now almost entirely recovered but will need a course of 25 physical therapy sessions to heal his head and neck.

Mother Tiffnie Esquibel said: "You'd never know if he didn't have a scar there."