TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME - REASSESSMENT OF ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS

OBJECTIVE; To assess the antenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of the twin tr ansfusion syndrome, an enigmatic disorder that results in an imbalance in the blood flow between mononchorionic twins. STUDY DESIGN: Retrosp ective review of 16 cases of twin transfusion syndrome confirmed by pl acental pathology and neonatal data. RESULTS: A disparity in antenatal fetal weights, size difference between the two amniotic sacs and a si ngle placenta were present in 81% (13/16) of confirmed cases. The find ing of two separate umbilical cords with a disparity in the size or nu mber of vessels was rare. Evidence of hydrops in either fetus or findi ngs of congestive cardiac failure in the recipient twin were uncommon. CONCLUSION: Our data strongly suggest that the twin transfusion syndr ome can be diagnosed in a significant number (81%) of cases. The syndr ome is variable, and it is rare to observe all the diagnostic criteria in one case.