title: X-ray pelvimetry and labour outcome in term pregnancy in a rural Nigerian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  X-ray pelvimetry is a radiological investigation that involves the measurement of different anthropometric dimensions of the pelvis. The pelvic inlet and outlet play important role in labour outcome. The query as to whether x-ray pelvimetry has a useful predictive value regarding labour outcome prompted this study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the use of X-ray pelvimetry is still relevant in term pregnancy, and its reliability in predicting labour outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of pregnant patients who had X-ray pelvimetry at term and successfully delivered at a rural community based mission maternity hospital between 2005-2008. Each x- ray pelvimetry report was matched with the mode of delivery of the patient. 150 patients who were found suitable had data such as age, mode of delivery, etc, extracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a review of 150 X -ray pelvimetry films, 119 (79.33%) were categorised as adequate pelvis, 10(6.67%) borderline pelvis and 21 (14%) inadequate pelvis respectively based on the conclusions of the radiologist. Out of the 21 patients with inadequate pelvis, 14 (67%) had normal delivery and 7 (33%) had caesarean section. For the 10 patients with borderline pelvis, 7 (67%) had normal delivery and 3 (33%) had caesarean section.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated that X-ray pelvimetry may not be accurate but has fair predictive value on mode of delivery in term pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiology and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B 12003 Lagos, Nigeria. nick3irurhe@yahoo.com
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Irurhe
authors.forename: F I O
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ibeabuchi
authors.forename: M A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Adewunmi
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Okanlawon
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adekola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies