Lewi L. What fetal medicine specialists should know about the monochorionic placenta.
Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2022;
84:17-32. [PMID:
35430160 DOI:
10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.03.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Monochorionic twins are at risk of transfusion imbalances as long as they are connected to the shared placenta during their intrauterine journey. This review article addresses the macroscopic examination of the monochorionic placenta at the time of birth and explains placental dye injection studies to document the vascular anastomoses and placental sharing. We elaborate on the different types of anastomoses, the importance of how the placenta is divided between the twins, and the angioarchitecture in twin-twin transfusion syndrome, twin anemia polycythemia sequence and selective fetal growth restriction.
Collapse