title: Imaging of conjoined twins.
abstract: The incidence of conjoined twins is estimated to be around 1 in 250,000 live births. There is a distinct female predominance. In this paper the imaging of conjoined twins both antenatally and postnatally is reviewed, in particular taking into consideration recent advances with multidetector CT. Accurate counselling of parents regarding the likely outcome of the pregnancy and the likelihood of successful separation is dependent on good prenatal imaging with ultrasound and MRI. Planning of postnatal surgical separation is aided by accurate preoperative imaging which, depending on the conjoined area, will encompass many imaging modalities, but often relies heavily on CT scanning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, WC1N 3JH, UK. kmchugh@gosh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spitz
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014428:Twins, Conjoined; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media