Craniopagus twins
Encyclopedia
Craniopagus twins are conjoined twins
who are conjoined at the cranium. This condition occurs in conjoined twin in about 1 in every 2,500,000 births. They account for only 2% of conjoined twins, and most die at birth or are stillborn.
. This means a parasitic twin attached at the head. Only eight documented cases have been recorded, and only 3 have survived birth
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Conjoined twins
Conjoined twins are identical twins whose bodies are joined in utero. A rare phenomenon, the occurrence is estimated to range from 1 in 50,000 births to 1 in 100,000 births, with a somewhat higher incidence in Southwest Asia and Africa. Approximately half are stillborn, and a smaller fraction of...
who are conjoined at the cranium. This condition occurs in conjoined twin in about 1 in every 2,500,000 births. They account for only 2% of conjoined twins, and most die at birth or are stillborn.
Cases
Although it is the rarest kind of conjoined twin, many cases of them have been recorded including:- Lotti and Rosemarie Knaack, who were born in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in the 1950s. They were separated at age 6, with Lotti dying in surgery. - Lori and George Schappell, currently believed to be the longest-surviving craniopagus twins still living.
- Laleh and Ladan Bijani, who were separated at age 29, only to die 90 minutes apart after surgery.
- Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim who were born in EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. They were successfully separated at age 2 years, 4 months in October 2001 in Dallas, Texas. - Anastasia and Tatiana DogaruAnastasia and Tatiana DogaruAnastasia and Tatiana Dogaru are seven-year-old craniopagus conjoined twins. They were scheduled to begin the first of several surgeries to separate them at Rainbow Babies and Children's Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio...
, who were born with the crown of Tatiana's head joined to the back of Anastasia's. Doctors determined in 2007 that they could not be separated. - Krista and Tatiana HoganKrista and Tatiana HoganKrista Hogan and Tatiana Hogan are craniopagus conjoined twins. They are joined at the top, backs, and sides of their heads. They were born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and are the only unseparated craniopagus twins currently alive in Canada...
, born on October 25, 2006. After a series of tests doctors also determined these twins could also not be separated. - Joseph and Luka BandaJoseph and Luka BandaJoseph Banda and Luka Banda are formerly conjoined twins. They were born joined at the back of the skull. In 1997 Dr. Ben Carson led a team of 50 Zambian and South African specialists to separate the 11-month old twins....
from ZambiaZambiaZambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
were separated successfully in South Africa by a team of surgeons led by Ben CarsonBen CarsonBenjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., M.D., is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States by President George W... - Johann and Stefan Rausch from UlmUlmUlm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
were separated successfully at Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital CenterJohns Hopkins HospitalThe Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...
by a team of surgeons led by Ben CarsonBen CarsonBenjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., M.D., is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States by President George W... - Stefan and Tyler Delp, both connected at the crown. At age 3, doctors determined that it was too risky for them to be separated.
- Ganga and Jamuna Shreshta, born in Kathmandu, Nepal, successfully separated by Dr. Chumpon Chan and his team from the Singapore General HospitalSingapore General HospitalThe Singapore General Hospital is the largest and oldest hospital in Singapore, of which the foundation of its first building was laid in 1821....
Parasitic twins
There is another type of Craniopagus conjoined twins, craniopagus parasiticusCraniopagus parasiticus
Craniopagus parasiticus is a medical condition in which a parasitic twin head with an undeveloped body is attached to the head of a developed twin.-Cases:...
. This means a parasitic twin attached at the head. Only eight documented cases have been recorded, and only 3 have survived birth
Birth
Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring. The offspring is brought forth from the mother. The time of human birth is defined as the time at which the fetus comes out of the mother's womb into the world...
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