[Significance and limitations of obstetrical ultrasound]

Obstetrical ultrasound is practised in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as a screening examination for all pregnancies. Although the reasons for its introduction in Germany in 1981 were dating of pregnancy, detection for multiple pregnancies and detection of intrauterine growth retardation, its aims has shifted towards the detection of fetal malformations when the 3-point obstetrical screening was introduced in 1995. To produce a realistic quality for this large number of examiners, a multi-level system was introduced. Today, contents and quality requirements of the 3 screening examinations (at 10/20/30 weeks), the 3 levels of examination and of the ultrasound equipment can be defined. This should help optimize the still insufficient quality of obstetrical ultrasound and reduce unrealistic expectations.