Discordant placental echogenicity: a novel sign of impaired placental perfusion in twin-twin transfusion syndrome?

Abstract

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is present in approximately 5–15% of monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies. A chronic blood flow imbalance through placental vascular anastomoses from the donor to the recipient twin is considered the pathophysiologic mechanism responsible for the development of TTTS. Discordant echogenicity between the donor and recipient placenta has been proposed in a previous case report as an additional sonographic sign of TTTS. Here, we present a case of TTTS with discordant placental echogenicity characterized by a hyperechoic and thicker placental side in the donor twin associated with reduced vascular Doppler signals, histologic lesions suggestive of ischemic changes, and overexpression of anti-angiogenic factors.

Keywords:

• Placenta
• monochorionic
• TTTS
• angiogenesis
• endoglin
• sVEGFR-1
• placental growth factor
• anti-angiogenic state

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS.