Novel technique for assessing amniotic fluid volume: use of a three-dimensional bladder scanner.
OBJECTIVE
Abnormalities of amniotic fluid (AF) volume are associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although current ultrasound techniques provide a linear amniotic fluid index (AFI) or 2-D area of AF, these indices have limited correlation with actual AF volume. The bladder volume instrument (BVI) 2500 ultrasound (Diagnostic Ultrasound Corp., Redmond, WA) utilizes a rotating 2 MHz transducer, a computer-defined fluid interface, and computer integration of 12 cross-sectional images to calculate 3-D fluid volume. In term pregnancies with normal AF volume, we previously demonstrated a correlation between the AFI and the 3-D volume as determined by BVI. In the present study, we sought to establish normative gestational values for BVI-determined 3-D volume and the relation to simultaneous AFI determinations.


METHODS
Following written informed consent, 73 gravidas (17-41 weeks) with uncomplicated pregnancies and normal
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volume were prospectively studied with BVI and an ATL Ultramark 6 sector scan. The largest vertical fluid pocket in each quadrant of the abdomen was identified with the sector scan and vertical measurements for AFI recorded. Simultaneou
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D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*