Successful treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome by occlusion of placental vessel anastomoses using enbucrilate

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Sep;47(3):330-3. doi: 10.1016/S1028-4559(08)60134-5.

Abstract

Objective: Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a serious obstetric complication unique to monochorionic twin gestations. Occlusion of vessel anastomoses is recommended to improve the perinatal outcome.

Case report: A 36-year-old, gravida 1, woman had a monochorionic twin pregnancy which was found to be affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome at 26 weeks' gestation. The condition was successfully treated by occlusion of placental vessel anastomoses using enbucrilate under color Doppler ultrasonographic guidance. At 35 weeks of gestation, two male infants were delivered by cesarean section. The birth weights of the babies were 2,470 and 1,750 g, and both were thriving.

Conclusion: Targeted therapeutic ablation of vessel anastomoses involved in twin-twin transfusion syndrome using color Doppler ultrasonographic guidance is minimally invasive and may effectively obliterate interfetal transfusion, contributing to the survival of both twins.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cesarean Section
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods
  • Enbucrilate / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetofetal Transfusion / therapy*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Placenta / blood supply*
  • Placental Circulation / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy, Multiple
  • Prenatal Care / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Twins, Monozygotic
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Substances

  • Enbucrilate