Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 2, Issue 3 99-106, Copyright © 1983 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of second-trimester skeletal dysplasias: a prospective analysis in a high-risk population
A. B. Kurtz and R. J. Wapner
Sixteen pregnancies in 15 women at high genetic risk for having fetuses
with skeletal dysplasias were examined by use of ultrasonography during the
second trimester. In addition to the routine examination of fetal head and
body, the fetal calvarium, spine, ribs, pelvis, and long bones were
specifically evaluated for bone brightness, deformity, fractures, and
inappropriate growth. It was determined that 11 of the 16 fetuses were
normal and five were abnormal. At birth, all 11 ultrasonographically
determined normal fetuses were normal, and at birth or elective termination
of pregnancy the other five were abnormal. All abnormalities detected by
ultrasonography in the affected fetuses were found at delivery, including
decreased bone brightness, deformity of the head and long bones, and
fractures and abnormal growth of the long bones. On the basis of this
study, it is felt that ultrasonography is highly accurate for the diagnosis
of many second-trimester skeletal dysplasias.
