A. Babinszki et al., Diagnosing amnionicity at 6 weeks of pregnancy with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasonography: case report, FERT STERIL, 71(6), 1999, pp. 1161-1164
Objective: To report a case of monochorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy dia
gnosed at 6 weeks of pregnancy with three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal son
ography and to discuss the use of this diagnostic method in the evaluation
of multifetal pregnancy in the first trimester.
Design: Case report.
Setting: University-based IVF program.
Patient(s): A 30-year-old ovum recipient underwent ultrasonographic evaluat
ion of a first-trimester twin pregnancy.
Intervention(s): Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D transvaginal sonography.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Accurate diagnosis of chorionicity and amnionicity
.
Result(s): Monoamniotic pregnancy and conjoined twinning could not be ruled
out by using 2D transvaginal sonography at 6 weeks, because only one yolk
sac (YS) and no membranes could be visualized, and the two embryos were clo
sely positioned within one gestational sac. Applying 3D technique, two YSs
and two separate embryos could clearly be observed, establishing the correc
t diagnosis of a monochorionic, diamniotic pregnancy.
Conclusion(s): The 3D transvaginal ultrasonography provides a quick and acc
urate diagnostic modality for the evaluation of a first-trimester multiple
gestation. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;71:1161-4. (C) 1999 by American Society f
or Reproductive Medicine.).