title: Prenatal diagnosis of parasitic conjoined twins with three-dimensional ultrasound.
abstract: Asymmetric and parasitic conjoined twins are extremely rare anomalies of monochorionic monoamniotic twins, consisting of an incomplete twin attached to the fully developed body of the co-twin. Sonographic examination is essential for prenatal diagnosis as early detection of fetal anomalies with poor prognosis provides a chance to deliver the infant vaginally for the mother. We herein describe a case with a prenatal diagnosis of a parasitic twin using three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound. The clear images obtained with 3-D ultrasound helped in counseling the parents. Making an early prenatal diagnosis of severe fetal anomalies with careful and sophisticated sonographic examinations should be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan.
authors.forename: Miyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terata
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Tomonobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanasugi
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oyama
authors.forename: Akimune
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D050497:Stillbirth; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000473:pathology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: conjoined twins; omphalocele; parasitic twins; prenatal diagnosis; three-dimensional ultrasound