First-Trimester Diagnosis of Conjoined Twins

Abstract

Two cases of conjoined twins were diagnosed during first-trimester endovaginal ultrasound and were confirmed by embryoscopy performed prior to the termination of pregnancy. An early and accurate diagnosis of this anomaly, obtained by the combined use of ultrasound and endoscopy, may enable adequate counselling and an earlier termination of pregnancy associated with minimal maternal risks.

Thoracopagus Conjoined Twins: A Case Report

“…Early diagnosis of conjoined twins was previously reported, but not before the 10th week of gestation [8]. On careful transvaginal sonography and serial scanning, there appears to be an inability to separate between the anatomical parts of the fetuses.…”

Caesarean Section For Thoraco - Omphalopagus Conjoined Twin - A Case Report

“…13,15,16 Early diagnosis of conjoined twins was previously reported, but not before the 10 th week of gestation. 17 On careful transvaginal sonography and serial scanning, there appears to be an inability to separate between the anatomical parts of the fetuses. Once conjoined twins have been diagnosed, characterization of the type and severity of the abnormality can be performed with ultrasound, three-dimensional ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging.…”

Diagnostic Techniques and Criteria for First-Trimester Conjoined Twin Documentation

“…38,39 In conjoined twins, 3D ultrasound is used to exactly define the extent of fusion and to obtain more precise anatomic information. 14,50,53 Furthermore, Doppler ultrasound may reveal a characteristic ''double-layer'' umbilical arterial velocity waveform due to 2 separate arterial supplies in a single umbilical cord. 41Y48 Especially facial features, like in parapagus or cephalopagus conjoined twins, can be studied in detail better using 3D ultrasound.…”

“…Proper first-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins is important for many different reasons: to avoid falsepositive diagnosis 11Y13 ; detect related ultrasound abnormalities, 4 the possibility to offer early termination with less maternal morbidity and less psychological impact, 14,15 the possibility of selective feticide, and the reduction of coexisting conjoined twins in a triplet pregnancy 16Y22 or even a quadruplet pregnancy 23 ; and to monitor the associated risks of a (conjoined) twin pregnancy. 3 In this study, we explore the first-trimester diagnosis and typing of conjoined twins.…”