The Applications of 3D/4D Ultrasound in Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Surgery in Open Spina Bifida

Abstract

Prenatal diagnosis of open spina bifida (OSB) by ultrasound examination during the second trimester of pregnancy was greatly improved in the mid 1980s by the description of the lemon and banana signs. More recently the researchers mentioned about the intracranial translucency is lower in the fetus with OSB during first trimester scanning. In this talk, we would like to share the experience of using 3D/4D ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis of OSB either in first trimester Down syndrome screening or second trimester routine scanning. The 3D/4D have advantages in helping the detection rate in spina bifida and more clearly to follow up the later on examination. Alone with this technique, the open fetal surgery or fetoscopic repair of the defect in OSB are reliable during whole surgery. In the end of talk, we will also update the current trend of fetal surgery in OSB and compare the different approach with different clinical outcomes.