Sonographic Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Defects in Thoraco‐Omphalopagus

Abstract

Thoraco-omphalopagus is the most common variety of conjoined twins. About 90% of the conjoined thoraco-omphalopagus twins have a common pericardium, and 75% have conjoined hearts. Options for the treatment of thoraco-omphalopagus are largely dependent on the anatomy of the cardiovascular system. The extent of the conjunction of the heart and the severity of the associated cardiac defects primarily determine the feasibility of successful separation of the infants. Two-dimensional echocardiography and color Doppler examination has become the method used to investigate cardiovascular system of conjoined twins with a high degree of confidence. A case of thoraco-omphalopagus conjoined twins prenatally determined of the extent of cardiac conjunction and diagnosis of associated defects by these methods is presented.