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25 January 2013 - Case #264

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Thanks to Dr. Jitendra Khedkar, Krishna Institute of Health Sciences University, India, for contributing this case and the discussion. This case was reviewed in May 2020 by Dr. Jennifer Bennett, University of Chicago and Dr. Carlos Parra-Herran, University of Toronto.


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Case #264

Clinical history:
A 22 year old primigravida woman with 25 weeks of amenorrhea presented with a rapidly enlarging abdomen and discomfort. Ultrasound at 25 weeks revealed twins. One twin had severe oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth restriction and was considered a "stuck" twin (donor) with gestational age of 20 weeks. The other twin (considered recipient) had polyhydramnios and gestational age of 25 weeks.

At 30 weeks, amniocentesis was performed to correct the polyhydramnios. At 35 weeks, caesarian section was performed to save the twin with polyhydramnios (the other twin suffered intrauterine death). The placentas were received for histopathological examination.

Gross images:

Placental discs

Cut section of recipient and donor territory



Microscopic images:

Microscopy through T section of placenta

Microscopy of donor placenta

Microscopy of recipient placenta




What is your diagnosis?

Click here for diagnosis and discussion:


Diagnosis: Twin transfusion syndrome

Discussion:
Figures 1 and 2 show a single placental disc with two amniotic sacs of dissimilar size separated by a thin, wispy dividing membrane. The external surface shows tortuous anastomotic vessels, with the donor placenta showing velamentous insertion of the cord. Figures 3 and 4: the cut section of the recipient territory shows extreme congestion and tortuous vessels. The cut section of the donor territory shows extreme pallor and collapsed vessels. Figures 5 and 6: microscopy through the "T" section of the placenta shows a monochorionic diamniotic placenta. Figure 7 and 11: microscopy of the donor placenta shows collapsed vessels and features of intrauterine death. Figure 8 and 12: microscopy of the recipient placenta shows tortuous anastomotic vessels.

Twin transfusion syndrome (TTS) is a serious condition that affects 10 - 15% of twin pregnancies with monochorionic placentation (Semin Perinatol 2012;36:182, Wikipedia: Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome [Accessed 8 April 2024]). It occurs due to intrauterine blood transfusion from one twin (donor) to another twin (recipient) through placental vascular anastomoses from shared placental cotyledons. This results in increased fetal and neonatal mortality, premature delivery and neurologic complications in the surviving twin(s).


Image 01 Image 02