Monochorionic twin pregnancy with acardiac twin sequence

a case report and literature review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of twin pregnancy with monochorionic twin arcadiac sequence to confirm the diagnosis and follow up and review the literature on the subject. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical history and sonographic examinations of the patient and case follow-up after delivery. Literature review on the basis of the electronic databases PubMed and Scielo.. RESULTS: This paper presents a case of acardia in twin pregnancy. The ultrasound diagnosis was confirmed by the absence of heartbeat, amorphous character of the head, blurring the trunk and extremities, diffuse subcutaneous edema, presence of cystic areas in the upperbody and reverse flow in the umbilical artery of the acardiac fetus. This diagnosis was confirmed after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of recognizing the acardiac twin sequence leads to proper monitoring of the intrauterine normal fetus and possible treatment. The obstetric ultrasound is a suitable method for the diagnosis and monitoring of twin pregnancies with acardiac fetus.