The lambda sign at 10-14 weeks of gestation as a predictor of chorionicity in twin pregnancies

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1996 Jun;7(6):421-3. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1996.07060421.x.

Abstract

Chorionicity was prospectively determined in 369 twin pregnancies by ultrasound at 10-14 weeks of gestation. Pregnancies were classified as monochorionic if there was a single placental mass in the absence of the lambda sign at the inter-twin membrane-placental junction, and dichorionic if there was a single placental mass but the lambda sign was present, or the placentas were not adjacent to each other. In 81 (22%) cases, the pregnancies were classified as monochorionic and in 288 (78%) as dichorionic. Pregnancy outcome was available in 279 cases and all 63 of these pregnancies classified as monochorionic resulted in the delivery of same-sex twins. Similarly, all 100 different-sex pairs were correctly classified as dichorionic. These findings demonstrate the high reliability of ultrasound examination at 10-14 weeks of gestation in determining chorionicity in twin pregnancies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorion / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First*
  • Pregnancy, Multiple*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Twins*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*