The Current Knowledge of Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Monochorionic Twins: A Systematic Review of the Last 20 Years

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 12; no. 23; p. 7211
• Main Authors: Rondagh, Mathies, Lopriore, Enrico, de Vries, Linda S, Slaghekke, Femke, Tollenaar, Lisanne S A, van Klink, Jeanine M M, Groene, Sophie G, Steggerda, Sylke J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21-11-2023
• Subjects: Anemia; Anemia in pregnancy; Brain; Clinical medicine; Cohort analysis; Diagnosis; Fetal brain; Fetal diseases; Fetus; Fetuses; Growth; Injuries; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical examination; Obstetrical research; Postpartum period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Multiple; Risk factors; Systematic review; Traumatic brain injury; Twins; Ultrasound imaging; Netherlands; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Israel; selective fetal growth restriction; magnetic resonance imaging; single intrauterine fetal demise; cerebral injury; monochorionic twins; twin anemia polycythemia sequence; twin–twin transfusion syndrome
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237211

The distinct placental angioarchitecture in monochorionic (MC) pregnancies increases the risk of complications such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS), and selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the incidence, type, and severity of cerebral injury and structural brain development on fetal and/or neonatal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in MC twins with or without complications. Twenty-three studies were included, covering a wide range of complications observed during MC pregnancies, with studies involving sIUFD (
= 12), TTTS (
= 7), mixed complications (
= 2), TAPS (
= 1), and uncomplicated MC pregnancy (
= 1). TAPS and sFGR were largely underrepresented in the current literature. The included studies reported that MC pregnancies with single intrauterine fetal demise (sIUFD) are most at risk for cerebral injury during the fetal period. The overall median incidence of cerebral injury after sIUFD was 28.3% (0-55%). Severe antenatal cerebral injury after sIUFD was detected antenatally in 6.5% (0-36%) of the cases. Three of the included studies described the incidence, type, and severity of cerebral injury on neonatal MRI in MC twins. Structural brain development based on cerebral biometry was only assessed in two studies, revealing significantly smaller biometric measurements of the cerebrum in cases of single sIUFD or smaller twins compared to singleton pregnancies. To enhance our understanding of the potential risks and pathophysiological mechanisms associated with cerebral injury and structural brain development in MC twins, there is a need for future studies and standardized protocols using serial fetal and neonatal MRI imaging in addition to routine ultrasound imaging.