title: Conjoined acardiac monsters.
abstract: The first known case of conjoined acardiac monsters in a twin pregnancy is reported. The conjoined monsters shared a single abdominal-thoracic artery and a primitive single-chambered heart. The placenta was monoamniotic with two umbilical cords. A classification of acardia as well as a discussion of possible mechanisms leading to the development of this anomaly are presented.
mesh_terms: D009008:Abnormalities, Severe Teratoid / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology*