Malformazioni congenite multiple in una Testudo graeca ibera bicefala

This case report describes the clinical and pathological lesions found in a 22-days-old bicephalic Testudo graeca ibera, showing lethargy, anorexia, complete absence of defecation. The two heads presented similar anatomical features and independent reaction to the external stimuli. The carapace showed doubled first vertebral scutes and an extra second vertebral scute. Radiography and transplastronal ultrasonography revealed two symmetrical stomachs and two asynchronous hearts, respectively. At post-mortem examination, after spontaneous death, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, heart and trachea were duplicated. The tubular left stomach was distended by the intraluminal accumulation of food caused by pyloric valve atresia. A focal mild stenosis of the cranial end of the transverse colon with segmental dilation was present. Left liver lacked lobes and was hypoplastic. Histologically, low number of heterophils infiltrated the hepatic periportal spaces, the submucosa of esophagi and gastrointestinal tract and the renal interstitium. Colonic epithelial cells were effaced by severe multifocal apoptosis and increased number of submucosal macrophages were engulfed with apoptotic bodies. This report represents the first detailed clinical and post-mortem evaluation of a bicephalic tortoise with multiple congenital abnormalities. Bicephaly rarely occurs in tortoises and its pathogenesis is still unclear (epigenetic mechanisms, abnormal temperature and humidity at hatching, environmental factors).[...]