Controversial Ultrasound Findings in Mid-Trimester Pregnancy

Abstract

ABSTRACT US equipment became more and more important for the practicing obstetricians, and the demands for practicing US as part of the antenatal care becomes sometimes routine in certain areas. A lot of US workshops are practiced trying to put the guidelines for using the US in this domain, and every now and then new markers and US signs are added that could have some significance in relation to the fetal outcome. Here a problem now exists, which is the gap between the ability to detect and the understanding of the significance of these findings, and this of course creates a great deal of improper counseling which leads to anxiety and confusions. The aim of my lecture is to shed some light on some controversial US signs, like echogenic bowel, renal pyelectasis, cardiac echogenic foci, choroid plexus cyst, club foot, polydactyly, single umbilical artery and mild ventriculomegaly. First I shall discuss the epidemiology–the pathophysiology, underlying risk for associated chromosomal anomalies and the most important is the significance of these signs, if present alone, so trying to suit out an evidence-based approach to their management and to provide the clinician with all the data that enables him to properly counsel the parents and eliminates the confusion created by the mere detection of these findings.