title: Correlation of Prenatal Diagnosis and Pathology Findings Following Dilation and Evacuation for Fetal Anomalies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  -Despite increased use of dilation and evacuation in the setting of fetuses with developmental anomalies, the pathology examination of fragmented specimens obtained by this technique has been understudied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  -To correlate pathologic findings in second-trimester fetal dilation and evacuation specimens with prenatal diagnoses established through ultrasound and/or chromosome studies to determine the value of pathology examination for supplementing or correcting clinical diagnoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  -In this retrospective study, clinical and pathology findings were correlated in 448 dilation and evacuation specimens performed for second-trimester termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies discovered on ultrasound examination (278 cases) or chromosome analysis (170 cases).
  
  
  RESULTS
  -In 109 of the 170 cases with chromosomal abnormalities (64%), pathologists identified at least 1 congenital defect associated with the respective karyotype. In 278 cases with ultrasound-detected anomalies, pathologists confirmed the major congenital defect in 116 fetal specimens (42%). Evaluating for congenital central nervous system and body wall/diaphragm pathologic findings proved challenging owing to tissue disruption. However, taking all categories into account, pathology studies corrected ultrasound diagnoses in 152 of 413 cases (37%) and yielded additional diagnostic findings in 137 cases (33%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  -In a substantial number of cases, examination of fragmented fetuses corrected or refined prenatal diagnoses, demonstrating a role for detailed pathology examination of dilation and evacuation specimens in quality control of prenatal imaging studies and for potentially aiding subsequent genetic counseling.
authors.forename: Carolin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Boecking
authors.forename: Eleanor A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Drey
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kerns
authors.forename: Walter E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Finkbeiner
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies