Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins in the first trimester: two case reports

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Prenatal Diagnosis of an Extremely Rare Type of Conjoined Twins: Cranio-Rachi-Pygopagus Twins

“…It is mostly carried out by transvaginal ultrasound during the first trimester of pregnancy [1,[4][5][6][7][8]. The sonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins should be based on the findings of an absent separating membrane and conjoined body parts which do not separate despite changes in fetal position.…”

Prenatal Diagnosis and Management of Conjoined Fetuses

“…2 Several cases of conjoined twins diagnosed ultrasonographically in the first trimester have been reported in the literature. [13][14][15][16][17] Very early sonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins appears to add minimal practical information compared with detection at the 11 to 14 weeks' scan. Use of 3D imaging also does not appear to improve diagnosis of conjoined fetuses (Fig.…”

“…2,[7][8][9][10][11][12] Since then, real-time ultrasound has been the most reliable method in establishing prenatal diagnosis of Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jan-Mar 2007;1(1):96-104 conjoined twins and in detecting associated anomalies. Moreover, recent improvements in real-time ultrasound technology-in some cases coupled with use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-have made early diagnosis of conjoined fetuses in the first trimester possible, [13][14][15][16][17] and uncovered a "hidden mortality" of conjoined twins, because of the increase in their detection rates. 2,18 Furthermore, prenatal diagnosis of more complex, not previously documented cases of conjoined fetuses in triplet pregnancies has been recently made possible with real-time ultrasound: A case of conjoined triplets, i.e.…”

A Rare Case Report on Thoracoomphalopagus

“…H. Lam,et al 17 reported two case of conjoined twins at 11 weeks and 13 weeks of gestation with the help of ultrasonography so that both of them were terminated by using prostaglandin to prevent all the complications regarding conjoined twins and parents got the golden opportunity to elect for termination of the pregnancy. Though being a rare occurrence, it carries a high incidence of perinatal mortality and even if surgery is conducted prognosis is guarded thus earlier detection and elective termination of conjoined twin is justifi ed.…”