Cephalothoracoomphalopagus – a rare type of conjoined twins from the pathologist’s perspective

Abstract

Objective: Case description and autopsy finding in conjoined twins diagnosed in the 24th week of pregnancy. Results: We report a case of a 31-year-old primigravida who was referred to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at our hospital with a presumptive dia gnosis of conjoined twins. The ultrasound examination with subsequent three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction demonstrated twin gestation complicated by cephalothoracoomphalopagus. Observations demonstrated that the twins were joined over an area that extended from the head to the thoraces down to the central abdomen. In view of multiple congenital malformations incompatible with postnatal life, the pregnancy was terminated. The twins then underwent an autopsy at the Department of Pathology and the autopsy confirmed previous diagnosis. Conclusion: Cephalothoracoomphalopagus is one of the rarest forms of conjoined twins with unknown incidence due to a very small number of documented cases. Key words: pregnancy – conjoined twins – autopsy