Early prenatal diagnosis of thoraco-omphalopagus twins at ten weeks of gestation by ultrasound

Abstract

Early prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins, an extreme form of monozygotic twinning, is very important for the further management and counselling of parents because they are associated with high perinatal mortality. We present a case of thoraco-omphalopagus twins diagnosed at ten weeks and four days of gestation by two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound, which was then terminated.

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

“…7 The overall survival rate of conjoined twin is only 25%. 2 Early diagnosis of conjoined twins helps in counselling of parents regarding different management options available like termination of pregnancy or continuation of pregnancy with post-natal surgery. Proper Consultation with a paediatric surgeon facilitates parental decision making regarding actual scenario.…”

“…2 The obstetrician plays a very indispensable role in prenatal diagnosis, counselling and organization of interdisciplinary medical care of conjoined twin. In our case, in earliest scan diagnosis was missed, which is very unusual but luckily conjoined twin was picked in early anomaly scan and timely management could be done.…”

“…Its incidence ranges from 1/50,000 to 1/100,000 live births with somewhat higher incidence is found in Southwest Asia and Africa. 2 Five types of conjoined twin are reported that is Thoracopagus, Omphalopagus, Pygopagus, Ischiopagus and Craniopagus. 3 There is no association of conjoined twin with maternal age, race, parity, or heredity and the risk of recurrence is negligible.…”

“…Ultrasound plays a very crucial role in diagnosis of conjoined twin. 2 There are various clues that include unusually close fetal apposition, spinal extension, and a single heart that leads to suspicion of conjoined twin. 6 We present a case of Dicephalus parapagus diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound at 13 weeks of gestation and confirmed after termination of pregnancy.…”

Early prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins: a case report

“…Conjoined twins represent one of the rarest forms of twin gestation, estimated to occur in 1.5 per 100,000 births worldwide. [1][2][3][4] In about 1% of monochorionic pregnancies, the twins are conjoined, probably resulting from relatively late attempts at cleavage on day 13 or later. [1][2][3][4][5] Therefore, when there is a case of monochorionic monoamniotic pregnancy, the possibility of conjoined twins should always be kept in mind.…”