title: Unusual case of epigastric heteropagus twinning.
abstract: Asymmetrical conjoined twins or heteropagus twins are extremely rare. They are characterized by an incomplete component (parasite) that is normally smaller and dependent on the host (autosite). In cases of an epigastric heteropagus twin, the insertion occurs in the epigastrium. There are few reports of epigastric heteropagus twinning in the English-language literature. The authors report an extremely rare case of epigastric heteropagus twinning in which the parasite presented with head, thorax, and a rudimentary heart.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. rodrigocribeiro@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Rodrigo Chaves
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Renato Frota Albuquerque
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Maranhão
authors.forename: Antônio Fernandes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Moron
authors.forename: Mila Torii Corrêa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cordioli
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hisaba
authors.forename: José Luiz
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D004480:Ectromelia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000002:abnormalities; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery