A case of craniopagus parasiticus: an antenatal diagnosis by ultrasound screening at 16 weeks of gestation and a literature review of recently reported cases

Özet

Craniopagus parasiticus (CP) is a rare type of malformation of conjoinedtwins, with one degenerated or underdeveloped parasite twin united at thecranium with the other fully developed twin. Only a handful of cases havebeen documented in the literature to date. The incidence of this rare deformityis approximately 4 to 6 out of every 10,000,000 live births. We report on acase of CP, diagnosed at 16 weeks of gestation by ultrasound screening. Tothe best of our knowledge, the case that we present is the first CP case thatwas diagnosed at such an early gestational age. The formed fetus was found toharbour complex cardiac anomalies. In view of poor prognosis of survival afterdelivery and upon permission from the couple, the pregnancy was terminatedat 17 weeks of gestation.