Thoracopagus: Autoptic and radiologic study of 2 cases

Abstract

Conjoined twins are a very rare complication of monozygotic twinning, most common being thoracopagus. Here we report about two cases of thoracopagus male twins illustrating the autopsy details of one case and the prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) details of another case. While the first case was misdiagnosed as separate twins on antenatal USG, only to be later confirmed as thoracopagus twins after birth, the antenatal MRI done in the second case helped in accurate detection of thoracopagus twins. Bilateral peripheral cortical cysts with dysplasia was noted in one of the twins of the first case, which has not been reported earlier in conjoint thoracopagii. Early prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins is essential for better counselling of parents regarding post natal surgical management or termination of pregnancy. Importance of prenatal MRI for accurate detection of these cases is thereby highlighted.

Keywords

• Conjoined twins
• cystic renal dysplasia
• thoracopagus