Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of thoracopagus conjoined twins

✍ Scribed by Mark Kalchbrenner; Stuart Weiner; John Templeton; Thomas A. Losure

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 396 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0091-2751
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.1870150112

✦ Synopsis

Conjoined twins are a rare occurrence in obstetric practice. More commonly known as Siamese twins, this phenomenon is shrouded in mystery and considered a curiosity by the general public. Current technology is providing a basis for earlier diagnosis and a better prognosis. A case in which the prenatal diagnosis of thoracopagus conjoined twins was made using real-time ultrasound is presented.

CASE REPORT

V.E. is a 22-year-old white female, gravida 111, para 2-0-0-2, who was referred for ultrasound to a tertiary center for a sizeldates discrepancy at 27 weeks of gestation. An ultrasound examination was performed, which demonstrated twins in a breechmreech presentation. Only one fetal heart was observed, and the relationship of the two fetal bodies to each other remained constant (Figs. 1 and2). The fetuses were face to face, and all eight extremities demonstrated independent motion. Biparietal diameter measurements were consistent with the patient's dates. Polyhydramnios was present, and a single placenta was visualized anteriorly. The diagnosis of thoracopagus conjoined twins at 27 weeks was made and discussed with the patient. Fetal echocardiography was subsequently performed, and consultation with a cardiovascular surgery team was obtained. Echocardiography indicated the existence of one normal From the