title: Routine sonographic measurement of the near-field lateral ventricle during second-trimester morphologic scans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether measurement of the near-field lateral ventricular diameter can be reliably obtained within a practical time frame during second-trimester obstetric scans by angling the fetal head approximately 30° away from the horizontal image axis such that the posterior aspect of the fetal head lies closer to the transducer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty consecutive singleton pregnancies presenting for a routine-second trimester scan were recruited for this study. The far-field lateral ventricular diameter was measured, followed by the near-field lateral ventricular diameter using the proposed technique. The measurements were repeated by a second operator who was blinded to the first measurement. Both operators recorded the measurements taken and scored the level of visibility of the near-field lateral ventricle. The difference between the two operators' measurements was compared by a κ analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The near-field lateral ventricle was visualized in 49 of 50 cases (98%). There was no statistically significant difference in the measurement of the near-field lateral ventricular diameter by the two operators (P = .34). There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the time it took each operator to obtain the near-field measurement after the far-field measurement (P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manipulating the transducer to position the falx of the fetal head approximately 30° away from the horizontal image axis allows the near-field lateral ventricle to be routinely visualized and measured with a high degree of interoperator agreement and within a practical time frame once the operator is experienced in performing the technique.
authors: Southern Health Ultrasound Department, Monash Medical Center, Melbourne Victoria, Australia. keith.vanhaltren@southernhealth.org.au
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: VanHaltren
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bethune
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Curcio
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Lombardo
authors: Michal E
authors: ME
authors: Schneider-Kolsky
mesh_terms: D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: lateral ventricular measurement; near-field lateral ventricle; proximal lateral ventricle; second-trimester morphologic scan; ventriculomegaly