title: The fetal spinal canal--a three-dimensional study.
abstract: The size of the lumbar spinal canal was evaluated in a prospective cross-sectional ultrasound (US) study to determine normal size values for lumbar part of the vertebral canal. A total of 88 patients undergoing routine obstetric US were studied between 16-41 weeks gestation. Structural anomalies or growth restriction were excluded. Area and volume of the vertebral canal in L1, L3 and L5 were calculated by three-dimensional (3-D) US. The size of the spinal canal correlated well with gestational age and no major differences could be found between upper and lower lumbar spine. By 3-D US, in vivo assessment of the spinal canal becomes possible. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bonn, Germany. wallny@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Wallny
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fimmers
authors.forename: U A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hansmann
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal