Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of conjoint twins.

BACKGROUND

A primipara with multiple pregnancy who booked for antenatal care at 21 weeks presented with vaginal bleeding and pedal oedema at the 27th week. She had had five previous ultrasound scans that gave conflicting results.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The patient was therefore sent for a confirmatory scan, which was performed using a linear 3.5 MHz transducer of a dynamic imaging dedicated, concept MC ultrasound scan machine.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of conjoint twins was made. The twin was joined from the mandible to the abdomen. Although they cried at birth, they died a few minutes after. The pregnancy was terminated by caesarian section at the patient's request. The patient did well postpartum and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day. Records confirm that this is the first case seen in this hospital, which has been in existence for 18 years.

CONCLUSION

To diagnose conjoint twins by ultrasound, one needs the expertise and careful scanning techniques, as the diagnosis may be easily missed, especially if the union is extensive.