title: How good is ultrasound in the detection and evaluation of anterior abdominal wall defects?
abstract: The ability of routine obstetric ultrasound to detect and accurately describe fetuses with anterior abdominal wall defects has been examined in an unselected population using data from a regional abnormality survey. Examination between 16 and 22 weeks gestation detected 60% of defects with a false positive rate of 5.3%. Fetuses with gastroschisis were incorrectly assigned as exomphalos in 14.7% of cases recognized before 22 weeks gestation. The diagnosis, including description of associated detectable anomalies, was completely accurate in 71.6% of cases. Some of the problems of diagnostic accuracy need to be considered when counselling couples with a fetal anomaly. Cross-referral between obstetric ultrasound units should be encouraged to improve diagnostic accuracy. These results form the basis for audit of obstetric ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal abnormality within a geographically defined population.
authors.affiliation: Northern Regional Fetal Abnormality Survey, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Walkinshaw
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renwick
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hebisch
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Hey
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal