First-trimester neck abnormalities: three-dimensional evaluation.
In order to study the first trimester ultrasonographic differences between nuchal translucency and hygroma colli, we rescanned 25 fetuses (13 with nuchal translucency and 12 with hygroma colli) using transvaginal and three-dimensional ultrasonography, after obtaining a fetal karyotype report. Our objective was to test the premise that the different physiopathologic mechanisms of both processes would be reflected in detectable sonographic differences. Our retrospective analysis showed that the most striking ultrasonographic difference was the presence of bullae as well as greater irregularity, extent, and amplitude of the membrane in cases of hygroma colli. Fetuses with simple nuchal translucency had a more homogeneous linear membrane. Although detailed analysis was impossible in 30% of cases, we found three-dimensional ultrasonography to be a useful technique for establishing the differences between these two entities.
Bonilla-Musoles
F
F
Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Spain.
Raga
F
F
Villalobos
A
A
Blanes
J
J
Osborne
N G
NG
D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009333:Neck / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal