title: [Conjoined twins--diagnostic problems, difficult decisions in choosing the most optimal management in one of the rarest pathologies of pregnancy].
abstract: Conjoined twins are the rarest type of monozygotic, monochorionic, monoamniotic twins--incidence about 1:50000 - 1:100000. A conjoined twin pregnancy is a very special pathology in obstetrics and usually ends prematurely. 40% of twins are stillborn, while 35% die within 24 hours after delivery. The development of ultrasonography and in the last years also MRI, allows earlier detection and diagnosis of fetal malformation and enables precise evaluation of the anatomy, type of malformation and how the twins are conjoined. Chances of survival and way of delivery depends on the degree of fusion of the organs and possibilities of surgical separation. Obstetric care for a women with conjoined twins does not differ from that in a normal twin pregnancy, but the newborns require special medical care after delivery. We would like to stress the diagnostic problems and the difficult decisions that we encountered. The degree of conjoinment in this case excluded surgical separation of the twins. A multidisciplinary team of experts decided to end the pregnancy at 31 wks by cesarean section. Delivery at a later term could increase the risk of uterine rupture and surgical complications.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Połoznictwa i Ginekologii Instytutu Matki i Dziecka w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaczyńska
authors.forename: Krzysztof T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Niemiec
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Przybyłkowska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dangel
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwoliński
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Helwich
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luczyc-Wyhowski
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furmanek
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal