COMBINED PENTALOGY-OF-CANTRELL AND SIRENOMELIA - A CASE-REPORT WITH SPECULATION ABOUT A COMMON ETIOLOGY

A case of combined pentalogy of Cantrell with sirenomelia in a monozyg otic twin is described. Similar cases from the world literature are re viewed. Current concepts on the etiology of anterior midline ventral w all defects and sirenomelia are detailed. It has been proposed that an terior midline ventral wall defects may be caused by either monozygoti c twinning or vascular dysplasia. Likewise, a vascular steal phenomeno n causes sirenomelia. A common etiology for these defects, an alterati on in vascular development, is proposed.