TITLE:
Morphological Progression of Chorionic Membrane Development in Monochorionic and Dichorionic Twins: A Sonographic Assessment
AUTHORS:
Airat Adeola Bakare, Afodun Adam Moyosore, Eze Daniel Ejike, Adesanya Olamide Adewale, Edgar Mario Fernandez, Quadri Khadijah Kofoworola, Ilugbo Kehinde Hussein
KEYWORDS:
Chorionic Membrane, Twin, Progression, Gestation, Ultrasound
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.8 No.14,
December
28,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: The zygote of twins implants themselves separately and on different spots in the uterine endometrium.
However, the growth of fetal membranes may be collective or singly. There is little data from
sonographic view of assessment on the exact progression at different stages of
gestation. More so, the realistic evidences from radiographic assessment of the compartmentalization
of chorion membrane in the developing monochorionic and dichorionic twins are not sufficiently available, hence, the call to ascertain the exact progression of the chorion membrane
through ultrasound scanning in gestational subjects. Aim: This
present study examined the structural progression of embryonic growth pattern
of chorionic membrane in monochorionic and dichorionic twins. Materials and
Methods: The study utilized transabdominal ultrasound to
periodically assess the progression of chorion membrane and advancement in
compartmentalization of monochorionic and dichorionic twins as pregnancy
proceeds. Results: The monochorionic membrane showed an enclosure that
progresses to be more distinct and thickened around the two embryos with a unique T-shaped point of
insertion in latter development. The partitioning of dichorionic membrane
progresses to be less thickened and with a distinct lambda (λ) sign which is a wedge-shaped
protrusion into the inter-twin space. Conclusion: Assessment showed that
the growth pattern of chorion membrane varied with
different parameters observed as early as in the first trimester. Hence during early gestational stage, a twin can be said
to be monochorionic or dichorionic with key anatomical landmarks monitored. The growth progression could be used to project abnormality
and on time treatment would be offered to
improve perinatal outcome.