The use of color flow Doppler ultrasonography to diagnose umbilical cord entanglement in monoamniotic twin gestations.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate the use of color flow Doppler ultrasonography to identify umbilical cord entanglement.


METHODS
Our case series consisted of three monoamniotic twin gestations. Color flow Doppler was used prospectively to study the umbilical cords.


RESULTS
Apparent "branching" of the umbilical artery, with evidence of two different heart rates in the two segments of the branch, was seen in all cases. Compression of the umbilical vein was identified by extremely high blood velocity.


CONCLUSIONS
Color flow Doppler is useful in the identification of umbilical cord entanglement in monoamniotic twin pregnancies and may provide a method of monitoring the fetuses for evidence of cord compression.
Belfort
M A
MA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Moise
K J
KJ
Kirshon
B
B
Saade
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014427:Twins; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*