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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffParents of conjoined twins must make profoundly difficult decisions, and some are best made early in the pregnancy. The use of high-resolution and transvaginal ultrasound — an imaging method in which the ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina — makes it possible to diagnose conjoined twins in the first trimester. False-positive results can occur before 10 weeks, however, when identical twins who share an amniotic sac (monoamniotic twins) may appear conjoined.
- From 'monsters' to modern medical miracles: Selected moments in the history of conjoined twins from medieval to modern times. United States National Library of Medicine. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/conjoined/embryology.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Roque H, et al. Monoamniotic twin pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Stone JL, et al. The craniopagus malformation: Classification and implications for surgical separation. Brain. 2006;129(5):1084-1095.
- Spitz L, et al. Success rate for surgery of conjoined twins. The Lancet. 2000;356:1765.
- Wilcox DT, et al. Urological problems in conjoined twins. British Journal of Urology. 1998;81:905-910.
- Carnevale FC, et al. Importance of angiographic study in preoperative planning of conjoined twins: Case report. Clinics. 2006;61(2): 167-170.
- Pajkrt E, et al. First-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2005;25(9):820-826.
- Kaufman M. The embryology of conjoined twins. Child's Nervous System. International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. 2004;20(8-9):508-525.
- Gilbert S. Types of conjoined twins. In: Gilbert S. Developmental Biology. 8th ed.
- Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, Inc; 2006. http://8e.devbio.com/article.php?id=112&search=conjoined%20twins. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
