Publications by authors named "Isabel Couck"

Background: Miscarriage and preterm birth are leading causes of loss and disability in monochorionic twins after laser treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the use of cervical pessary to reduce preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies after fetal surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Study Design: In this open-label multicenter randomized trial, pregnant women carrying monochorionic diamniotic twins requiring fetoscopic laser coagulation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to pessary placement or conservative management.

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Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine additional variables, next to umbilical artery (UA) Doppler, to help differentiate between Type II and III selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR).

Methods: Retrospective analysis categorizing monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with sFGR and abnormal UA Doppler as either Type II or III sFGR based on the diameter of the artery-to-artery (AA) anastomosis of ≤2 or >2 mm, respectively on placental examination after birth. This exploratory study compared maternal characteristics, pregnancy outcome, placental characteristics, and ultrasound features between the two groups.

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Introduction: This study aims to examine the association between the presence and size of a vein-to-vein (VV) anastomosis and birth weight discordance relative to placental discordance in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies.

Methods: Placentas of two previous prospective studies were included in this retrospective analysis. After injection with color dye, we measured the placental surface of each twin and VV, artery-to-artery (AA), and artery-to-vein (AV) anastomoses on a digital photograph.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigates the effectiveness of a biweekly ultrasound scan protocol starting at 16 weeks for early detection of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies and assesses outcomes in a large cohort.
  • Among 675 monitored pregnancies, 12% developed TTTS, and 90% of those were detected early enough to intervene effectively; however, a small percentage presented at a critical late stage.
  • Results show that while survival rates after treatment (fetoscopic laser photocoagulation) are relatively high, they do not fully reflect the overall mortality associated with TTTS; many severe cases exhibited abnormal Doppler findings prior to diagnosis.
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Objective: Due to the increased risk of antenatal brain lesions, we offer a third-trimester magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to all patients who underwent an in utero intervention for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). However, the usefulness of such a policy has not been demonstrated yet. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of antenatal brain lesions detected on third-trimester MRI and the proportion of lesions detected exclusively on MRI.

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Novel transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) markers have been proposed to improve spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) prediction. Preliminary results of the cervical consistency index (CCI), uterocervical angle (UCA), and cervical texture (CTx) have been promising in singletons. However, in twin pregnancies, the results have been inconsistent.

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Introduction: We aim to compare two different methods for the assessment of placental sharing in monochorionic diamniotic twins: X-ray-angiogram and digital photograph of the placenta.

Method: We included the placentas of a prospective series of twins that were followed from the first trimester onward and resulted in a double live birth or double stillbirth between April 2016 and February 2019. Injection was performed after delivery and an X-ray angiogram was made, as well as a digital photograph.

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Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) occurs in about 1 in 5000 pregnancies. The differential diagnosis between PMD and partial mole is difficult on ultrasound scan, and karyotyping plays a key role in distinguishing PMD from partial mole. Our report is the first to report on the discordancy for PMD in a monochorionic setting.

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Background: Fetoscopic LASER coagulation of the placental anastomoses has changed the prognosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. However, the prematurity rate in this cohort remains very high. To date, strategies proposed to decrease the prematurity rate have shown inconclusive, if not unfavourable results.

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Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) are complications unique to monochorionic twin pregnancies and their shared circulation. Both are the result of the transfusion imbalance in the intertwin circulation. TTTS is characterized by an amniotic fluid discordance, whereas in TAPS, there is a severe discordance in hemoglobin levels.

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