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Severe gyration and migration disorder in fetofetal transfusion syndrome: two case reports and a review of the literature on the neurological outcome of children with lesions on neuroimaging

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Abstract

Introduction

Fetofetal transfusion syndrome is a dreaded cause of morbidity and mortality in monochorionic pregnancies.

Case reports

We present two pairs of twins one of which we have followed for more than 6 years. The donors suffer from cerebral palsy, orofacial, and motor problems, and both are significantly smaller than their recipient twins. Interestingly, cranial MRI revealed medial frontal lobe polymicrogyria, ventriculomegaly, and decreased thickness in both parietal lobes in both donors. We suggest this as a possible feature of fetofetal transfusion syndrome.

Review

A minireview of the literature on neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental outcome in fetofetal transfusion syndrome is presented.

Conclusion

While the close resemblance of the imaging features of both cases is likely incidental further study of a connection between migration and gyration disorders and fetofetal transfusion syndrome is warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Rudolf Ascherl & Wieland Kiess

  2. Department of Imaging and Radiotherapy, Section Pediatric Radiology, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Ina Sorge & Franz Wolfgang Hirsch

  3. Division of Neonatology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Ulrich Thome & Annett Bläser

  4. Division of Neuropediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Andreas Merkenschlager

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  1. Rudolf Ascherl
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Correspondence to Rudolf Ascherl.

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Ascherl, R., Sorge, I., Thome, U. et al. Severe gyration and migration disorder in fetofetal transfusion syndrome: two case reports and a review of the literature on the neurological outcome of children with lesions on neuroimaging. Childs Nerv Syst 34, 155–163 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3595-7

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