Diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasonography to fetal limb skeletal dysplasia

Abstract

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasonography to fetal limb skeletal dysplasia. Methods From December 2005 to December 2009, the fetus with pregnancy of 14 to 40 weeks after routine ultrasound screening were given two dimensional prenatal ultrasound screening, and we found fetal limb skeletal growth abnormalities retained images, meanwhile we used three-dimensional ultrasound surface imaging mode and transparent imaging mode techniques, the location and types of malformations observed by these two kinds of methods were compared. Results Among the 38 974 cases, 70 cases of abnormalities detected by two-dimensional method, while 78 ones detected by three-dimensional ultrasound method, during postpartum follow-up study, 14 cases of miss diagnosis were found, including 4 cases of polydactylism, 2 cases of polydactyly, 2 cases of toe absence, 4 cases of syndactyly, and 2 cases of abnormal finger posture; while in those with three-dimensional ultrasound method, there were only 6 cases found as miss diagnosis, including polydactylism, polydactyly and syndactyly,2 cases for each. The detectable rate for fetal limb deformities of three-dimensional ultrasound was significantly higher than that of two-dimensional ultrasound method. The methods were mainly used to increase diagnostic accuracy for fetal fingers and toes deformities.Conclusions There is no obvious difference in fetal long bone deformity diagnosis between the methods of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound, but in the fetal fingers, toes and other details, the results of the three-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis is better than that of two-dimensional one. The three-dimensionul ultrasound diagnosis image is intuitive which provides convenience for communicating with pregnant women. Key words: Real-time three-dimensional uhrasonography; Fetus; The fetal four limbs growth malformations; Diagnosis