Autopsy and Case Reports
https://www.autopsyandcasereports.org/article/doi/10.4322/acr.2014.018
Autopsy and Case Reports
Article / Autopsy Case Report

Dicephalus dipus dibrachius twins: report of an autopsy case

Cristiano Claudino Oliveira; Claudia Aparecida Rainho; Maria Aparecida Custódio Domingues

Downloads: 12
Views: 1263

Abstract

Dicephalus dipus dibrachius twins are a rare form of conjoined twins. An autopsy of conjoined dicephalus twins is reported. The diagnosis was performed during the pregnancy and the family received a judicial authorization for termination of pregnancy. The preterm newborn progressed to cardiac arrest and died following a court order to terminate the pregnancy. The conceptus presented two arms, two legs, a trunk, two heads, and a single umbilical cord. The two spinal columns presented vertebral fusion in the sacral region. The heart exhibited complex malformations. The external genitalia were female; and cytogenetic analysis confirmed female sex (46, XX). This analysis also corroborated the etiopathogenic hypotheses described for this abnormality, which proposes failures in embryonic formation rather than specific chromosomal alterations. Current identification of cases by ultrasound permits medical management and multidisciplinary action with the family, enabling the legal termination of pregnancy.
 

Keywords

Autopsy, Twins, Conjoined, Cytogenetics, Embryology, Fetal Diseases

References

Seo JW, Lee YS, Chi JG. Cross-sectional illustration on major types of conjoined twins. J Korean Med Sci. 1988;3(1):19-25. PMid: [PMID:3267350]

Bondeson J. Dicephalus conjoined twins: a historical review with emphasis on viability. J Pediatr Surg. 2001;36(9):1435-44. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1053/jpsu.2001.26393]. PMid: [PMID:11528623]

Daskalakis G, Pilalis A, Tourikis I, Moulopoulos G, Karamoutzos I, Antsaklis A. First trimester diagnosis of dicephalus conjoined twins. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004;112(1):110-3. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-2115(03)00268-9]. PMid: [PMID:14687753]

Mabogunje OA, Lawrie JH. Conjoined twins in West Africa. Arch Dis Child. 1980;55(8):626-30. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.55.8.626]. PMid: [PMID:7192076]

Spitz L, Kiely EM. Conjoined twins. JAMA. 2003;289(10):1307-10. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.289.10.1307]. PMid: [PMID:12633195]

Spitz L, Kiely EM. Experience in the management of conjoined twins. Br J Surg. 2002;89(9):1188-92. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2168.2002.02193.x]. PMid: [PMID:12190687]

Harma M, Harma M, Mil Z, Oksuzler C. Vaginal delivery of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins: case report and literature review. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2005;205(2):179-85. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1620/tjem.205.179]. PMid: [PMID:15673976]

Spencer R. Conjoined twins: theoretical embryologic basis. Teratology. 1992;45(6):591-602. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1002/tera.1420450604]. PMid: [PMID:1412053]

Martínez-Frías ML, Bermejo E, Mendioroz J, et al. Epidemiological and clinical analysis of a consecutive series of conjoined twins in Spain. J Pediatr Surg. 2009;44(4):811-20. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.07.002]. PMid: [PMID:19361646]

Castilla EE, López-Camelo JS, Orioli IM, Sánchez O, Paz JE. The epidemiology of conjoined twins in Latin America. Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma). 1988;37(2):111-8. PMid: [PMID:3239351]

Chen H. Conjoined twins. In: Chen H. Atlas of genetis diagnosis and couseling. 2nd ed. New York: Springer; 2012. p. 495-505.

Mackenzie TC, Crombleholme TM, Johnson MP, et al. The natural history of prenatally diagnosed conjoined twins. J Pediatr Surg. 2002;37(3):303-9. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1053/jpsu.2002.30830]. PMid: [PMID:11877639]

Andrews RE, McMahon CJ, Yates RWM, et al. Echocardiographic assessment of conjoined twins. Heart. 2006;92(3):382-87. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1136/hrt.2005.069682]. PMid: [PMID:16118238]

Ambar SS, Halkati PC, Patted SV, Yavagal S. Twin heart with a fused atria and separate ventricles in conjoined twins. Ann Pediatr Cardiol. 2010;3(2):196-8. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2069.74065]. PMid: [PMID:21234207]

Berezowski AT, Duarte G, Rodrigues R, et al. [Conjoined twins: an experience of a tertiary hospital in Southeast Brazil]. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2010;32(2):61-5. [Portuguese.]. PMid: [PMID:20305942]

Lopes LM, Brizot ML, Schultz R, et al. Twenty-five years of fetal echocardiography in conjoined twins: lessons learned. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2013;26(5):530-8. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2013.02.013]. PMid: [PMID:23562084]

Brizot ML, Liao AW, Lopes LM, et al. Conjoined twins pregnancies: experience with 36 cases from a single center. Prenat Diagn. 2011;31(12):1120-5. PMid: [PMID:21905053]

Duarte GA, Osis MJD, Faúndes A, Sousa MH. Brazilian abortion law: the opinion of judges and prosecutors. Rev Saúde Pública. 2010;44(3):406-20. http://dx.doi.org/ [https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010005000006]. [Portuguese.] PMid: [PMID:20464265]


 


Publication date:
01/13/2016

569696b164cc8b5cda711bf2 autopsy Articles

Autops Case Rep

Share this page
Page Sections