Cardiac and other malformations in parapagus twins.
BACKGROUND
Conjoined twins occur in one 50-200,000 live births and approximately 75% of all cases are thoracopagus twins. Parapagus conjoined twins are rare and are not included in many review articles.


METHODS
The cardiovascular system of a male parapagus (dicephalus, tetrabrachius, dipus) conjoined twins was studied. Twin B had bilateral bilobed lungs and a normal heart, while bilateral trilobed lungs and right isomerism was found in twin A. They shared a diaphragm and an abdominal cavity. There were two complete heads on two necks, two thoraxes, one abdomen, four arms, two legs, two complete vertebral columns, a single pelvis, and severe cardiac abnormalities.
Tansel
Türkan
T
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Turkey. turkant@superonline.com
Yazicioğlu
Fehmi
F
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011859:Radiography; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology*