Significance of membrane thickness in the sonographic evaluation of twin gestations.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-1987
Abstract
A retrospective study of 55 twin pregnancies was performed to determine the role of sonography in distinguishing between dichorionic and monochorionic diamniotic gestations solely by evaluating the thickness of the membrane between the fetuses. The presence of a thick dividing membrane indicated a dichorionic diamniotic gestation in 38 (90%) of 42 cases in which it was identified. Inability to identify a membrane between dichorionic diamniotic twins occurred most commonly during the third trimester. A thin membrane indicated monochorionic diamniotic twinning and was seen in three (25%) of 12 cases. Membrane thickness was indeterminate in one case. Therefore, on the basis of the thickness of the dividing membrane imaged by sonography, dichorionic diamniotic gestations can be distinguished from monochorionic diamniotic gestations. Inability to show a separating membrane by sonography, however, can occur with any form of twin gestation, particularly in the third trimester. Membrane thickness should be used in conjunction with other sonographic criteria to predict the amnionicity and chorionicity of twin gestations.
Volume
148
Issue
1
First Page
151
Last Page
153
ISSN
0361-803X
Published In/Presented At
Hertzberg, B. S., Kurtz, A. B., Choi, H. Y., Kaczmarczyk, J. M., Warren, W., Wapner, R. J., Needleman, L., Baltarowich, O. H., Pasto, M. E., & Rifkin, M. D. (1987). Significance of membrane thickness in the sonographic evaluation of twin gestations. AJR. American journal of roentgenology, 148(1), 151–153. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.148.1.151
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
3538828
Department(s)
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Document Type
Article