Various modalities for evaluation of a fused heart in conjoined twins.

Summary: Conjoined twins attached at the chest often share a heart, creating a complex challenge for surgeons planning separation. In a study of 20 sets of twins, doctors compared four ways to map the cardiovascular system: ultrasound, catheterization, MRI, and 3D-CT angiography. While ultrasound successfully identified internal heart structures, the 3D-CT scan emerged as the superior choice. It provided a detailed roadmap of both the heart and surrounding blood vessels as early as the first week of life. Because it is quick, non-invasive, and cost-effective, 3D-CT angiography is recommended as the safest and most effective tool for surgical planning.