P56Antenatal diagnosis and separation of conjoined twins: case report

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 16; no. s1; p. 79
• Main Authors: Çelik, E., Sen, C., Kepkep, K., Vural, A., Yeker, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science, Ltd 01.10.2000
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00004-1-56.x

The incidence of conjoined twins is extremely small and ranges between 1:30 000 and 1:100 000 live births. Recent years, the prenatal diagnosis is possible in very early pregnancy and also detailed USG gives us an opportunity for making differential diagnosis in the case of well or poor prognosis. We present two cases with thoracophagus which were diagnosed at 19th and 25th week of gestation. First case was terminated because of severely conjoined (Shared hearth with single ventricule, two atrium, single aorta under the diaphragm. Second one was diagnosed at 25th week of gestation whom had just conjoined liver, attached pericardium on the ventricular walls and no other anomaly. After given counseling, the family opted to continue the pregnancy and the follow up of the pregnancy was uneventful and delivered at 38th week by cesarean section. They well tolerated in the neonatal period. The babies have gone operation at 10th months of age. They recovered after separation procedure and the outcome was uneventful. In recent years, defining the anatomical relationship of conjoined twins is greatly simplified by new technologies like 2D and/or 3D ultrasonography. Differential diagnosis of the cases with good or bad outcome in terms of shared organ and anomalies is important in clinical making decision for the termination or continuation of pregnancy.