twin-twin transfusion syndrome

Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a potential complication that can occur in a monochorionic (either MCDA or MCMA) twin pregnancy.

Epidemiology

This complication can occur in ~10% (range 15-25%) of monochorionic pregnancies giving an estimated prevalence of ~1:2000 of all pregnancies.

Clinical presentation

Marked abdominal distension has been described as a clinical feature.

Pathology

TTTS results from unbalanced vascular (arteriovenous and arterioarterial) anastomoses in the placenta - that is, placental circulation is directed predominantly towards one twin and away from the other.

The resultant hypovolemia and hypoperfusion in one twin and hypervolemia and hypertension in the other create a cascade of hormonal changes including the renin-angiotensin system. This in turn leads to chronic tubulopathy and oliguria in the hypovolemic (donor) twin with consequent oligohydramnios, and polyuria and consequent polyhydramnios in the hypervolemic (recipient) twin.

Staging

The extent of the syndrome can be staged according to severity. One method proposed by Quintero et al. is as :

  • stage I: oligohydramnios/polyhydramnios
  • stage II: bladder not visible in donor twin
  • stage III: abnormal Dopplers in either twin
  • stage IV: hydrops fetalis in either twin*
  • stage V: in-utero demise of either twin

*almost always in the recipient; rarely in the donor if there is coexistent TAPS - see below.

Variants

Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a relatively recently described subset of TTTS, which is discussed separately.

Radiographic features

Antenatal ultrasound

Monochorionicity is a prerequisite at any stage of gestation.

Growth discordance is often but not invariably present, and does not contribute to diagnostic criteria.

First trimester

The following findings on a first-trimester ultrasound of a monochorionic pregnancy have been associated with increased risk of developing TTTS, although predictive value remains poor :

Second and third trimesters

Features that may be noted individually in each twin include:

  • recipient twin
  • donor twin 
    • oligohydramnios (DVP <2 cm), which may result in the twin appearing pinned to the side of the gestational sac: "stuck twin"
    • small or non-visualized urinary bladder
    • Doppler abnormalities - predominantly umbilical artery +/- venous
    • evidence of fetal anemia

Doppler

Treatment and prognosis

Serial sonographic monitoring is common practice. In an uncomplicated monochorionic twin pregnancy, TTTS screening should start from 16 weeks gestation with assessment fetal growth, DVPs and umbilical arterial pulsatility index (UA-PI) performed every two weeks. Detailed morphology ultrasound is routine at 20 weeks. Additional fetal middle cerebral arterial-peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) is recommended from 22 weeks.

Untreated, TTTS generally carries a poor prognosis, with up to 90% perinatal mortality . Laser coagulation of the chorionic plate is the treatment of choice and significantly improves the prognosis for both twins - although both morbidity and mortality remain considerably higher than in non-TTTS monochorionic pregnancies.

Other management options include:

  • conservative management with surveillance for Quintero stage 1 TTT
  • serial amnioreduction, where laser treatment is not available

Differential diagnosis

General imaging differential considerations include:

  • other causes of oligohydramnios and/or polyhydramnios, for example related to fetal structural anomalies
  • isolated placental insufficiency in one of the twins
Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS):