Gerson Ribeiro1, Heron Werner2, Jorge Lopes1, Pedro Castro2,3, Edward Araujo Júnior4,5. 1. Department of Arts and Design, Pontifícia Universidade Católica (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 2. Department of Fetal Medicine, Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem (CDPI), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 3. Department of Radiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 4. Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine - Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), Rua Belchior de Azevedo, 156 apto. 111 Torre Vitoria, CEP, São Paulo, SP, 05089-030, Brazil. araujojred@terra.com.br. 5. Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul (USCS), Bela Vista Campus, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. araujojred@terra.com.br.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Craniopagus twins represent a rare and complex congenital malformation characterized by conjoined twins fused at the cranium. Craniopagus is challenging for patients' families and surgeons, and accurate confirmation of the extent of cranial fusion is a complex process. Most information regarding the surgical anatomy of this rare condition is obtained through analysis of ultrasonographic, magnetic resonance, or computed tomographic images. A multidisciplinary team plays a key role in obtaining such information and in parental counseling and coordination of various complex processes for optimal postnatal care of these twins. The extent of fusion is usually determined based on conventional clinical methods, such as imaging studies. METHODS: Imaging software is being used in recent times to create three-dimensional reconstruction images and for virtual navigation to investigate the skulls and brains of craniopagus twins. However, the acquisition and maintenance costs of such sophisticated medical software may be unaffordable for medical centers in developing countries. To overcome this limitation, we investigated the role of open or free source software for accurate determination of complex malformations of the skull and brain of craniopagus twins.
BACKGROUND: Craniopagus twins represent a rare and complex congenital malformation characterized by conjoined twins fused at the cranium. Craniopagus is challenging for patients' families and surgeons, and accurate confirmation of the extent of cranial fusion is a complex process. Most information regarding the surgical anatomy of this rare condition is obtained through analysis of ultrasonographic, magnetic resonance, or computed tomographic images. A multidisciplinary team plays a key role in obtaining such information and in parental counseling and coordination of various complex processes for optimal postnatal care of these twins. The extent of fusion is usually determined based on conventional clinical methods, such as imaging studies. METHODS: Imaging software is being used in recent times to create three-dimensional reconstruction images and for virtual navigation to investigate the skulls and brains of craniopagus twins. However, the acquisition and maintenance costs of such sophisticated medical software may be unaffordable for medical centers in developing countries. To overcome this limitation, we investigated the role of open or free source software for accurate determination of complex malformations of the skull and brain of craniopagus twins.
Authors: H Rode; A G Fieggen; R A Brown; S Cywes; M R Q Davies; J P Hewitson; E B Hoffman; L D Jee; J Lawrenson; M D Mann; L S Matthews; A J W Millar; A Numanoglu; J C Peter; J Thomas; H Wainwright Journal: S Afr Med J Date: 2006-09