Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 20, Issue 10 1117-1127, Copyright © 2001 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Fetus acardius: two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic diagnoses
F. Bonilla-Musoles, L. E. Machado, F. Raga and N. G. Osborne
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia School of Medicine, Spain.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ultrasonographic detection of acardiac
fetuses and diagnostic accuracy of related malformations improve with
complementary use of two-dimensional ultrasonography, three-dimensional
ultrasonography, and Doppler scanning. METHODS: Three pregnant women with
multifetal gestations who were found to have discordant fetuses on initial
two-dimensional ultrasonographic scanning were subsequently scanned with
three-dimensional ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasonography.
RESULTS: Although the possibility of acardiac fetuses was entertained in
all cases after two-dimensional ultrasonographic scanning, the diagnosis
was confirmed, and the accuracy and extent of fetal malformations were
established with three-dimensional ultrasonography and color Doppler
scanning. Two of the women had twin gestations, and the third woman had a
triplet gestation. Among the women with twin gestations, 1 donor twin had
no abnormalities, and the other donor twin had a diagnosis of
arthrogryposis and gastroschisis. The woman with triplets had 1 acardiac
fetus; the donor fetus was anencephalic; and the third fetus had alobar
holoprosencephaly. CONCLUSIONS: Complementary use of two-dimensional
ultrasonography, three-dimensional ultrasonography, and color Doppler
scanning improves diagnostic accuracy and the ability to evaluate the
extent and severity of organ compromise in pregnancies complicated by
acardiac fetuses.
