Craniopagus: the Thessaloniki-Rome experience.
OBJECTIVE
A case of two female Greek twins conjoined at the left frontal and orbital regions is described. These conjoined twins were transferred to the Pediatric Neurosurgical Unit of the Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University Medical School, at the age of 4 months for possible surgical division.


METHODS
Multiple diagnostic investigations, which included in particular advanced imaging techniques, demonstrated an independent cerebral vascularization of the two babies and excluded significant intracranial malformations. Such an accurate evaluation of the anatomy of the craniopagus at the level of the cranial junction allowed the feasibility of the surgical correction to be established.


CONCLUSIONS
The operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team in a single stage. The operating team included two distinct teams of neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists as well as a plastic surgeons' team. Both babies survived the operation. The postoperative course was uneventful. Both twins were discharged in good clinical and neurological condition after a 3-week period of hospitalization.
Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit, Catholic University Medical School, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. cdirocco@rm.unicatt.it
C
C
Di Rocco
M
M
Caldarelli
G
G
Tamburrini
M
M
Koutzoglou
L
L
Massimi
F
F
Di Rocco
G
G
Sabatino
E
E
Farallo
A
A
Seccia
D
D
Pietrini
M
M
Valenti
E
E
Forte
M
M
Rollo
T
T
Tartaglione
A
A
Pedicelli
L
L
Tortorolo
M
M
Piastra
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods