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Abdominal wall defects: two- versus three-dimensional ultrasonographic diagnosis
F Bonilla-Musoles1, L E Machado, L A Bailão
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia School of Medicine, Spain.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography enhances the diagnosis of fetal abdominal wall defects. This advanced imaging provides crucial details for improved prenatal counseling and planning for infant care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Abdominal wall defects are congenital anomalies requiring accurate prenatal diagnosis.
- Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography is the primary method for detecting these defects.
- Advanced imaging modalities may offer supplementary diagnostic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography in diagnosing fetal abdominal wall defects.
- To compare diagnostic information obtained from 2D and 3D ultrasonography.
- To assess the impact of 3D ultrasonography on prenatal counseling and postnatal planning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 cases diagnosed with abdominal wall defects.
- Initial diagnosis using conventional 2D transabdominal ultrasonography.
- Reevaluation with 3D ultrasonography employing multiplanar and orthogonal plane modes.
Main Results:
- A total of 12 cases were diagnosed: 6 omphaloceles, 3 gastroschises, 2 prune-belly syndromes, and 1 pentalogy of Cantrell.
- 2D ultrasonography provided accurate initial diagnoses in 11 out of 12 cases.
- 3D ultrasonography provided additional valuable information in all evaluated cases, aiding in diagnosis and planning.
Conclusions:
- While 2D ultrasonography is effective for initial detection of abdominal wall defects, 3D ultrasonography offers complementary insights.
- The additional data from 3D scanning can significantly enhance prenatal counseling.
- 3D ultrasonography facilitates more efficient postnatal therapeutic planning for neonates with abdominal wall defects.
Abstract:
We diagnosed 12 cases of abdominal wall defects. The cases diagnosed occurred in 6 fetuses with omphalocele, 3 with gastroschisis, 2 with prune-belly syndrome, and 1 with pentalogy of Cantrell. Except for 1 case of gastroschisis first diagnosed on the basis of three-dimensional ultrasonography at 14 weeks' gestation, all cases were first detected by two-dimensional transabdominal ultrasonography and then reevaluated with three-dimensional ultrasonography using multiplanar and orthogonal plane modes. Although the original diagnosis was accurate on the basis of two-dimensional ultrasonography in 11 of 12 cases, additional information was obtained by three-dimensional scanning in all cases. Our experience suggests that in cases in which abdominal wall defects are first detected by two-dimensional ultrasonographic scanning, the additional information gained by complementary three-dimensional ultrasonographic scanning can be useful for more-efficient counseling and postnatal therapeutic planning.