[Perinatal imaging diagnosis in twin pregnancies with humanus amorphus]

The humanus amorphus or acardiac twin is a very rare anomaly found only in monocygotic multiple pregnancies. In 8 twin pregnancies observed from 1977 to 1988 at the Charité-Hospital the findings of perinatal imaging diagnostics (sonography, amniofetrography, postnatal radiography) have been presented. For the prenatal diagnosis, especially for continuous prenatal control in these high-risk pregnancies, sonography seems to be the suitable method. However, an exact classification and morphological description of such monstrosities will be possible only by postnatal radiography (eventually in combination with a transumbilical angiography). Six ouf of eight cases were classified as an acephalous type, and two as an acardius anceps fetus.