Conjoined twins in a spontaneous monochorionic triplet pregnancy: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Rationale: Conjoined twins are a rare complication of monochorionic pregnancies and an extremely rare condition in spontaneous triplet pregnancies. We report a case of conjoined twins in a spontaneous monochorionic triplet pregnancy. The conjoined twins might have suffered from twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, which was reported to be extremely rare.

Patient concerns: A 26-year-old woman conceived spontaneously with an obstetric history of invasive mole 4 years ago.

Diagnoses: We initially misdiagnosed her as having monochorionic triamniotic triplets at 10 weeks of gestation. However, we confirmed conjoint twins with the monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy at 12 weeks of gestation and classified them as omphalopagus.

Interventions: As the woman decided to continue the pregnancy, regular and careful antenatal care was conducted.

Outcomes: Unexpectedly, she had a stillbirth 3 weeks later and had to terminate the pregnancy at 15 weeks of gestation. After abortion, the diagnosis of omphalopagus was confirmed in the induced fetuses. Moreover, the skin colors of the conjoined twins were different: one was plethoric, and the other was pale. Additionally, the parents agreed to examine the chromosome of the fetuses, and the results were normal.

Conclusion: Dichorionic triplet and monochorionic triplet pregnancies have a poorer prognosis than trichorionic triplet pregnancies. Surgery is the main therapy for conjoined twins; however, most conjoined twins in triplet pregnancies cannot survive, including omphalopagus twins. The conjoined twins may have suffered from twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, which could probably not be diagnosed intrauterine. Transvaginal probe and 3-dimensional ultrasound may be helpful for clarifying the diagnosis in early pregnancy.

Figure 1

Two-dimensional ultrasound image (A) and color Doppler flow imaging (B) of the conjoined twins at 12 wk of gestation. The conjoined twins fused through the lower abdomen with a cystic structure.

Figure 2

Two-dimensional ultrasound image of the normal nonconjoined fetus.

Figure 3

The postnatal anterior view of the triplet pregnancy. The conjoined twins were connected through a short umbilical cord; one was plethoric, and the other was pale.