Amorphus

Amorphus is a rare congenital condition characterized by the presence of an unformed mass of tissue, often found in association with a twin pregnancy. This condition is also known as acardiac twin or acardiac monster. The amorphus mass typically lacks a heart and other vital organs, making it non-viable.

Etiology

The exact cause of amorphus is not well understood, but it is believed to result from abnormal twinning processes. It is often associated with monochorionic twin pregnancies, where both twins share a single placenta. The condition arises due to the disruption in the normal development of one of the twins, leading to the formation of an amorphous mass.

Pathophysiology

In cases of amorphus, the affected twin does not develop a functional cardiovascular system. This lack of a heart prevents the proper circulation of blood, leading to the accumulation of unorganized tissue. The surviving twin, known as the pump twin, provides circulation to the amorphus mass through vascular connections in the shared placenta.

Diagnosis

Amorphus can be diagnosed prenatally using ultrasound imaging. The ultrasound may reveal the presence of an unformed mass alongside a normally developing twin. Doppler ultrasound can be used to assess the blood flow and confirm the diagnosis.

Management

The management of a pregnancy complicated by amorphus depends on the health of the pump twin. Close monitoring through regular ultrasounds is essential to ensure the well-being of the pump twin. In some cases, fetoscopic laser ablation may be performed to sever the vascular connections between the twins, reducing the risk to the pump twin.

Prognosis

The prognosis for the pump twin in cases of amorphus varies. With appropriate monitoring and intervention, the pump twin can often survive and develop normally. However, complications such as preterm birth and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can occur, affecting the overall outcome.

Related Pages

• Acardiac twin
• Monochorionic twin
• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
• Ultrasound
• Fetoscopic laser ablation

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