title: Prenatal diagnosis of anatomical connections in conjoined twins by use of contrast magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Omphalopagus conjoined twins were diagnosed by ultrasonography in a pregnant woman at 21 weeks' gestation. In order to clarify the anatomical connections, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, having achieved fetal paralysis by intravascular injection of 100 mg of pancuronium into each twin. Prior to MRI, 2 ml of a 0.0001 mmol/ml solution of gadolinium DTPA was also injected into the stomach of one twin. The contrast agent opacified the bowel loops of both twins, indicating bowel to bowel anastomosis. Following pregnancy termination, autopsy confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zoppini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vanzulli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kustermann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rizzuti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selicorni
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nicolini
mesh_terms: D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005332:Fetoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000002:abnormalities