Various Modalities for Evaluation of a Fused Heart in Conjoined Twins

摘要: Conjoined twins are a rare congenital anomaly with an estimated incidence of 1/50,000 to 1/100,000. Among thoracopagus conjoined twins, 75% have fused heart. We compare the usefulness various modalities for evaluating cardiovascular structure in fused-heart twins. report series 20 sets as well results PubMed database literature review from 1982 2009. Twenty were evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance image (MRI), and three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). Imaging compared findings at surgery or autopsy. All underwent postnatal echocardiography; 11 (55%) catheterization; 4 (20%) MRI; 1 set (5%) 3D-CTA. intracardiac anatomy (ICA) was identified echocardiography. Cardiac MRI, 3D-CTA able identify extracardiac vascular structures ICA. 3D-CTA, which can be performed early first week life, is noninvasive, less expensive, safe examination minimal risk due its short procedural time. Three-dimensional CTA effective modality before surgery.