Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 7, Issue 4 197-201, Copyright © 1988 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Nomograms for ultrasound visualization of fetal organs
I. E. Zador, S. F. Bottoms, G. M. Tse, B. A. Brindley and R. J. Sokol
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hutzel Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
Although there is extensive literature regarding ultrasonic biometric
evaluation of the fetus, our goal is to establish nomograms for the
visualization of fetal organs, as they have not previously been reported.
Data from the first complete ultrasound examination of 2,389 consecutive
gravidas at greater than or equal to 14 weeks gestation were analyzed. The
examinations were performed by three registered sonographers during a
20-month period. Fetal cerebral ventricles, heart, stomach, kidneys,
intestines, bladder, diaphragm, spinal column, extremities, and umbilical
cord were examined routinely and classified as normal, abnormal, or
suboptimally visualized. Ultrasound visualization of these organs varied
with gestational age (P less than 0.0001) and patterns of visualization
varied markedly by organ. These nomograms could be useful in the timing of
ultrasound examinations, the timing and method of delivery, detection of
anomalies amenable to in utero therapy, parental counseling, quality
assurance programs, and medicolegal liability defense.
