Cephalothoracopagus (monocephalic dithoracic) conjoined twins in a pig (Sus scrofa f. domestica): a case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In this report, we present a rare case of cephalothoracopagus (monocephalic dithoracic) conjoined twins with anencephaly in pig. Conjoined Polish large white piglets were born at term after an uncomplicated birth. The litter consisted of 11 piglets. The conjoined twins were born alive, but died shortly after birth and were subjected to further investigation. Blood vessels of the heart were filled with LBS 3060 latex, and then the twins were fixed in 10% non-buffered formalin. Necropsy revealed the external and internal anatomy of the affected twins. Examinations demonstrated abnormalities of skeletal, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. The twins had a single head, neck and chest and were separated from the umbilicus caudally. They had four forelimbs and four hindlimbs. Examination of the skeleton revealed two complete vertebral columns connected with one skull. Two tongues and a cleft palate were present in the oral cavity. The conjoined twins had a single pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, part of jejunum, spleen, liver and pancreas. The remaining part of the digestive system was doubled. Each piglet had a separate urogenital apparatus. The examination revealed only one heart with structural abnormalities. Two larynxes and tracheas were identified. The right twin had the right lung while the left twin had the left lung. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first detailed report of this type of conjoined twins in the pig.

Conjoined Twins in Red Sokoto Goat

“…The urogenital organs found in this case were doubled (four kidneys, two bladders, four ovaries, and oviducts, as well as two bicornuate uterus and vagina), as widely confirmed previously in conjoined twins (Spencer, 2000). As concern the cardiovascular system defect involved there was a single functioning heart for both kids, which is similar to heart defects previously described in congenital twinning (Binanti and Riccaboni, 2012;Schneevoigt et al, 2014;Kulawik et al, 2017). The enlarged heart and branched aorta found in the right kid B, reflected the right twin heart being the pumping donor to the left twin A.…”

“…C onjoined twins represent rare congenital malformations of monozygotic twins, thus abnormalities in their anatomy arise during prenatal development (Kulawik et al, 2017). The term duplication, often used regarding conjoined twins, does not intrinsically imply either fission or fusion process, but it describes the formation of double structures regardless of their origin (Schneevoigt et al, 2014).…”

“…Congenital duplication etiopathogenesis is considered to be a complex of processes with various influencing factors at different time-points (Elnady and Sora, 2009). Previous report has attributed the development of conjoined twins to either environmental or genetic factors, or both (Kulawik et al, 2017).…”

“…Although there is paucity of information regarding the definitive cause(s) of embryonic duplications, the separation of fused twins only becomes feasible when the two components do not share any vital parts or organs. Given the developmental disorders that may affect function of systems or organs in the malformed twins, surgical separation often leads to poor prognoses and is not always an option (Kulawik et al, 2017). Conjoined dysmorphologies can affect several systems not only limited to the fused parts, which usually have syndromic manifestations (Binanti and Riccaboni, 2012).…”

“…Conjoined dysmorphologies can affect several systems not only limited to the fused parts, which usually have syndromic manifestations (Binanti and Riccaboni, 2012). Organ dysfunction, failure, and even death are the implications often associated with abnormalities arising during prenatal development (Kulawik et al, 2017). The occurrence of conjoined twins is sporadic and very rare, thus most of its aspects remain hypothetical; however, the description of its cases benefits both veterinary and medical sciences (Schneevoigt et al, 2014).…”