Virtual three-dimensional placentoscopy: a new approach to assess residual anastomoses following laser photocoagulation in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

Abstract

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) complicates 10% of monochorionic twin pregnancies and it is consequence of an unbalanced exchange blood through the vascular anastomoses at placental surface. If not treated, mortality rates in TTTS may be as high as 80-100%. Laser photocoagulation of the placental anastomoses is the first treatment option; however, in some situations, the damage of the placenta in the postpartum may become difficult the residual anastomoses identification. We propose a new non-invasive technique to assess the residual anastomoses using computed tomography (CT) scan data to generate a three-dimensional (3D) virtual placentoscopy.