[Diagnosis of spina bifida in fetuses using tomographic ultrasound imaging: a preliminary study]

To assess the value of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the diagnosis of spina bifida in fectuses.

Eight fetuses suspected of having spina bifida following 2-D ultrasound underwent TUI examination. The fetal spines were observed on the coronal, transverse and sagittal views to confirm the location and severity of the spinal lesions, and the ultrasound findings were compared with the pathological results.

In 6 of the 8 fetuses with spina bifida, TUI obtained clear images demonstrating the presence of the lesions, and the results of TUI diagnosis were consistent with pathological examination of the fetuses.

TUI can clearly visualize spinal bifida in fetuses, and as a useful complementary technique to 2-D ultrasound, TUI may obviously improve the capacity of conventional ultrasound for diagnosis of fetal spina bifida.