Dicephalus parapagus conjoined twin: a rare case with review of literature

Abstract

Conjoined twin is a rare complication seen in 1% of monochorionic twins and associated with severe morbidity and mortality. It occurs due to a division event at the primitive streak stage of the human embryonic development at about 13-14 days after fertilisation, in monochorionic monoamniotic gestations. Early prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twin plays a very crucial role in the management and allows appropriate and timely counselling of couple regarding the different modes of management like early termination of pregnancy or continuation of pregnancy with post-natal surgery. Late diagnoses present with difficult options for parents and obstetrician too. Ultrasound plays a very crucial role in diagnosis of conjoined twin. We are reporting a case of 27 years old primigravida referred to our institute at 13 weeks of gestation with ultra-sonographic diagnosis of dicephalus parapagus conjoined twin and further confirmed after termination of pregnancy.

A rare case of dicephalous dibrachius dipus conjoined twins:case report

“…Literature reveals that in one of the study of 14 cases of prenatally diagnosed conjoint twins, 28% died in utero, 54% immediately after birth, and only 18% survived out of which 50% died postoperatively. 5…”