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Gebb JS, Khalek N, Whitehead MT, Oliver ER. Monochorionic Twin Complications and Fetoscopic Interventions. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2024; 32:513-528. [PMID: 38944438 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Monochorionic twins are at risk for complications due to the presence of placental vascular anastomoses, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome, twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, selective fetal growth restriction, and twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence. While ultrasound is the primary modality to screen for the development of these complications, MRI plays an important role in assessing monochorionic twin pregnancies for the development of other complications, such as neurologic injury. In this article, the authors review the ultrasound imaging findings associated with monochorionic twin complications, management options, and the role for MRI in these pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana S Gebb
- Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3500 Civic Center Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Hub for Clinical Collaboration@CHOP, 3500 Civic Center Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nahla Khalek
- Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3500 Civic Center Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, The Hub for Clinical Collaboration@CHOP, 3500 Civic Center Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew T Whitehead
- Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Neuroradiology, The Hub for Clinical Collaboration@CHOP, 3500 Civic Center Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edward R Oliver
- Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Walcutt JE, Kline-Fath BM, Zhang B, Lim FY, Habli MA, Divanovic AA, Nagaraj UD. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and echocardiography findings in twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:702-714. [PMID: 38488924 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-024-05879-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a rare complication of monochorionic multiple gestation pregnancies, in which the pump twin provides hemodynamic support to a nonviable co-twin (acardius). Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to detect pump twin abnormalities, particularly brain ischemia, prior to fetal intervention to interrupt umbilical blood flow to the acardius. OBJECTIVE To summarize the imaging findings of TRAP sequence pregnancies in a large series. MATERIALS AND METHODS A single-center retrospective review was performed of all TRAP sequence pregnancies referred for fetal MRI (2004-2021). Fetal MRI, ultrasound, and echocardiography data were collected. RESULTS Eighty-eight TRAP sequence pregnancies with MRI were included (mean gestational age, 19.8±2.8 weeks). Demise of the pump twin was noted in two pregnancies at the time of MRI. By MRI, 12% (10/86) of live pump twins had abnormalities, including 3% (3/86) with brain abnormalities and 9% (8/86) with extra-cranial abnormalities. By echocardiography, 7% (6/86) of pump twins had structural cardiac abnormalities. Three acardius morphological subtypes were identified by MRI: acephalus (55%, 48/88), anceps (39%, 34/88), and amorphous (7%, 6/88). The mean ultrasound acardius to pump twin ratio A/P ratio, calculated for each twin pair as the ratio of the acardius trunk (and head, if present) plus limb volume to the pump twin estimated fetal weight) differed among the three acardius subtypes (P=.03). The mean A/P ratio moderately correlated with pump twin cardiothoracic ratio and combined cardiac output (Pearson's r=0.45 and 0.48, respectively, both P<.001). CONCLUSION Fetal MRI of TRAP sequence pregnancies found anomalies in a substantial number of pump twins. The three acardius subtypes differed in A/P ratio, which moderately correlated with the pump twin cardiothoracic ratio and combined cardiac output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Walcutt
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Division of Radiology, Children's Nebraska, 8200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68114, USA.
- Department of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Beth M Kline-Fath
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Foong-Yen Lim
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Mounira A Habli
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Allison A Divanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Usha D Nagaraj
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Aoki S, Iwata R, Tomita J, Yokota H, Takahara T. A case of dichorionic twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence with prenatal diagnosis of vascular anastomosis in the first trimester. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:462-464.e2. [PMID: 37979825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Showa Aoki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji-city, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Ryuichi Iwata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji-city, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Junko Tomita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji-city, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yokota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji-city, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tokuei Takahara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji-city, Kyoto, Japan
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Nicolì P, Damiani GR, Gaetani M, Dellino M, Vitagliano A, Malvasi A, Cazzato G, Cascardi E, Marzullo A, Alfonso R, Cicinelli E, Vimercati A. "The Strange Case of Dr Pump and Mr Acardiac": The Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence in Two Monochorionic Monoamniotic (MCMA) Twin Pregnancies-Diagnosis, Prognosis and Management: Review of Literature. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3109. [PMID: 37835852 PMCID: PMC10572342 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence is an extremely rare complication of monochorionic twin pregnancies, with one severely malformed twin (the "acardiac") lacking autonomous placental blood supply and being perfused by the co-twin (the "pump"), through arterio-arterial (and sometimes also veno-venous) vascular anastomoses located on the placental surface. The prognosis is poor: mortality is 100% in the acardiac twin because of its severe malformations and about 50-55% in the pump twin, mainly due to heart failure and prematurity. So, the goal of perinatal management of the TRAP twin pregnancy is to deliver a healthy and near-term pump twin without heart failure or fetal hydrops. Intuitively, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. Herein, we report two cases of monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twin pregnancies complicated by the TRAP Sequence, which are of interest since the objective of early diagnosis was achieved by means of transvaginal and 3D ultrasound, two techniques which revealed themselves as being useful to this purpose but are underused in the literature. The second aim of this study is to provide an overview of literature data about the diagnosis, prognosis establishment, and management of this rare condition, which are still debated and unclear due to negligible poor-quality evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Nicolì
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Raffaello Damiani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Gaetani
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Miriam Dellino
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Amerigo Vitagliano
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Gerardo Cazzato
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Eliano Cascardi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Pathology Unit, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Andrea Marzullo
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Raffaello Alfonso
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Cicinelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Vimercati
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Policlinico of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Kozinszky Z, Surányi A. The High-Risk Profile of Selective Growth Restriction in Monochorionic Twin Pregnancies. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040648. [PMID: 37109605 PMCID: PMC10141888 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The present review aims to provide a critical appraisal of the sonographic diagnosis and follow-up and to evaluate the optimal clinical management of monochorionic twin pregnancies where one of the twins is complicated by selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). The classification is based on the umbilical artery (UA) diastolic flow reflecting the outcome. If the sFGR twin has positive diastolic flow (Type I) then the prognosis is good, and it does not require close surveillance. Biweekly or weekly sonographic and Doppler surveillance and fetal monitoring are recommended strategies to detect unpredictable complications in type II and type III forms, which are defined by persistently absent/reverse end-diastolic flow (AREDF) or cyclically intermittent absent/reverse end-diastolic flow (iAREDF) in the umbilical waveforms, respectively. The latest forms are associated with an increased risk of unexpected fetal demise of the smaller twin and 10-20% risk of neurological injury in the larger twin in addition to the overall risk of prematurity. The clinical course can be affected by elective fetal therapy ('dichorinization' of the placenta with laser or selective fetal reduction) or elective delivery in the presence of severe fetal deterioration. The prediction of the clinical outcome in complicated cases of type II and III sFGR cases remains elusive. Novel routines in fetal and placental scans in order to predict neurological impairments and unexpected fetal death to optimize the delivery time-point are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Kozinszky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Danderyds Hospital, 182 88 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Surányi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
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