title: The Value of Prenatal Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Diastematomyelia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of diastematomyelia, and to provide a basis for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fetal diastematomyelia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four fetuses with suspected diastematomyelia based on prenatal ultrasonography are presented. Detailed prenatal ultrasonography was performed to examine spinal cord abnormalities. The region of interest-based spine sagittal plane was defined and 3D volumetric scans were performed, as needed. Images were stored and compared with MRI or ultrasonographic images after abortion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the four cases of diastematomyelia diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography, two were confirmed by MRI after birth, and the other two were confirmed by autopsy and pathologic examination after abortion. Varying degrees of spine or spinal cord deformities were noted. Two pregnancies were terminated, and two newborns underwent surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal ultrasonography contributes to the diagnosis of diastematomyelia and provides a basis for prenatal counseling and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, the Second Hospital of Fushun, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Qiuju
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Ailu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Xintian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the Second Hospital of Fushun, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Limei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: diastematomyelia; prenatal ultrasonography