Craniopagus twins.
Craniopagus twins represent a rare phenomenon of congenital misfortune. Modern neurosurgical techniques have created opportunities for successful separation and the promise of a normal existence for these children, who in the past were often left as historical footnotes or put on display as oddities of nature. The authors document a brief history of conjoined twinning and discuss the modern science of craniopagus epidemiology, classification, and separation. In particular, the strategies used and the rationale for staged surgical separation are highlighted.
Browd
Samuel R
SR
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Primary Children's Medical Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA.
Goodrich
James T
JT
Walker
Marion L
ML
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010641:Phenotype; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000145:classification* / Q000601:surgery