The above drawing illustrates how the twin peak sign is reliable evidence of dichorionicity. In a dichorionic pregnancy, both the amnions and the chorions reflect away from the placental surface, creating a potential space into which villi can grow. Large arrow shows the resulting twin peak sign. Monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies have a single layer of continuous chorion (large arrow) limiting villous growth; the apposed amnions form a thin membrane separating the two amniotic cavities. A = amnion, C = chorion.
The above drawing illustrates how the twin peak sign is reliable evidence of dichorionicity. In a dichorionic pregnancy, both the amnions and the chorions reflect away from the placental surface, creating a potential space into which villi can grow. Large arrow shows the resulting twin peak sign. Monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies have a single layer of continuous chorion (large arrow) limiting villous growth; the apposed amnions form a thin membrane separating the two amniotic cavities. A = amnion, C = chorion.
Courtesy of The Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.
This results from an early embryo dividing into 2 genetically identical embryos.
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 14, Issue 6 415-419, Copyright © 1995 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
JOURNAL ARTICLE |
Using the number of yolk sacs to determine amnionicity in early first trimester monochorionic twins
B. Bromley and B. Benacerraf
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the number of yolk sacs and amnionicity in monochorionic twin pregnancies scanned early in the first trimester. We retrospectively reviewed images of all monochorionic twins scanned between 6 and 9.5 weeks' gestation and with pathologic or sonographic confirmation of chorionicity-amnionicity. Each film was reviewed for the number of yolk sacs present, as well as for the gestational age at which the amniotic membrane was first visualized. Twenty monochorionic-diamniotic pregnancies and two monochorionic-monoamniotic pregnancies met the criteria for inclusion in the study. In diamniotic pregnancies scanned at less than 8 weeks' gestation, only the yolk sacs were identified; none of the dividing amniotic membranes were detected. Two yolk sacs were identified in all but one case. In this case, although one yolk sac was seen at 6 weeks, follow-up scanning at 8 weeks revealed twoyolk sacs. In each of the monochorionic-monoamniotic twin pregnancies, one yolk sac was seen at 9 weeks and a single amnion encircled both embryos. Weconclude that the sonographic identification of two yolk scas in monochorionic twins enables us to make the diagnosis of diamniotic twins early in the first trimester, before the amniotic membrane can be imaged. The presence of one yolk sac should prompt a follow-up ultrasonogram to assign amnionicity definitively.
