Three-dimensional ultrasonographic visualization of multiple pregnancy

Abstract

Our purpose was to describe interrelationships and contacts between twins in utero by use of three-dimensional ultrasonography with a specially developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer. Thirteen twin pregnancies (3 monochorionic and 10 dichorionic pairs) and one triplet pregnancy (trichorionic triplet) from 9 to 36 weeks of gestation were studied with a specially developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer (3.5 MHz). This imaging system can provide conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography images and can also generate within seconds high-quality three-dimensional images in the surface and transparent mode with no need for an external workstation. Interrelationships and contacts between twins or triplets are described. Various types of contacts (head/body/arm/leg) and interrelationships were clearly visualized. Crowding of in utero twin fetuses increased with advancing gestation. Sometimes two placentas and dividing membrane were beautifully depicted. In one triplet pregnancy, the interrelationships among 3 fetuses and dividing membranes were easily recognized. Three-dimensional ultrasonography provides a novel means of visualizing multiple pregnancies in utero. These results suggest that three-dimensional ultrasonography has the potential to be a supplement to two-dimensional ultrasonography and would be useful in evaluating the interhuman contacts and crowdings of twin and triplet fetuses in utero.