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Acardius anceps: report of 3 cases
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Asia-Oceania Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Acardius anceps, a rare twin pregnancy complication, presents with severe fetal malformations and edema. Prenatal ultrasound is crucial for diagnosing this anomaly and managing affected pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Teratology
Background:
- Acardius anceps is a rare and severe complication of monozygotic twin pregnancies.
- It involves significant variations in gross appearance and pathological features.
- This condition poses substantial risks to both fetuses and the pregnancy.
Observation:
- Three cases of acardius anceps in twin pregnancies were recently observed.
- Affected fetuses exhibited extensive subcutaneous edema, obscuring facial features but allowing skull detection via ultrasound and radiography.
- Severe cardiac and visceral organ malformations were noted in all affected fetuses.
Findings:
- Prenatal ultrasound effectively detected skull bones despite severe edema.
- Prenatal blood gas analysis revealed severe hypoxemia in two affected fetuses.
- All three pregnancies were terminated prior to co-twin viability.
Implications:
- Severe hydropic changes can lead to dystocia, necessitating interventions like hysterotomy.
- Early diagnosis and management via prenatal ultrasound are critical for optimizing outcomes in acardius anceps.
- Understanding the spectrum of this anomaly aids in clinical decision-making and patient counseling.