Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 20, Issue 3 191-195, Copyright © 2001 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Subjective versus objective evaluation of amniotic fluid volume of pregnancies of less than 24 weeks' gestation: how can we be accurate?
E. F. Magann, S. P. Chauhan, N. S. Whitworth, C. Isler, C. Wiggs and J. C. Morrison
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
This study was undertaken to compare subjective versus objective ultrasonic
evaluation of amniotic fluid volume in pregnancies of less than 24 weeks'
gestation. Amniotic fluid volume was subjectively (visualization without
ultrasonic measurements) and objectively (visual interpretation with
ultrasonic measurements) evaluated in 42 singleton pregnancies undergoing
termination. The actual amniotic fluid volume was then determined using a
dye-dilution technique. The women evaluated were in their mid-20s,
primarily African American, and between 15 and 23 weeks' gestation. There
was no significant difference in the total number of correct estimates of
amniotic fluid volume when the data were stratified by level of operator
experience (P = .34), ultrasonic technique (P = .33), or the combined
correct subjective versus combined correct objective estimates (P = .68).
We have concluded that the accuracy of amniotic fluid volume assessment in
pregnancies of less than 24 weeks is not influenced by the level of
operator experience or the type of ultrasonic measurement.
