[Diagnosis of spina bifida in fetuses using tomographic ultrasound imaging: a preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the diagnosis of spina bifida in fectuses.


METHODS
Eight fetuses suspected of having spina bifida following 2-D ultrasound underwent TUI examination. The fetal spines were observed on the coronal, transverse and sagittal views to confirm the location and severity of the spinal lesions, and the ultrasound findings were compared with the pathological results.


RESULTS
In 6 of the 8 fetuses with spina bifida, TUI obtained clear images demonstrating the presence of the lesions, and the results of TUI diagnosis were consistent with pathological examination of the fetuses.


CONCLUSIONS
TUI can clearly visualize spinal bifida in fetuses, and as a useful complementary technique to 2-D ultrasound, TUI may obviously improve the capacity of conventional ultrasound for diagnosis of fetal spina bifida.
Zhang
Xiao-li
XL
Department of Ultrasound, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China. du4655@163.com
Wang
Long-xia
LX
Sun
Chang-kun
CK
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult