Comparison between two- and three-dimensional ultrasound measurements of nuchal translucency

22Citations
Citations of this article
19Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Objective: Fetal nuchal translucency measurement has been introduced as a screening test for the calculation of risk of chromosomal abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to investigate: (1) the feasibility of obtaining nuchal translucency measurements using three-dimensional ultrasound; (2) whether three-dimensional ultrasound could improve and facilitate the required repeated measurements of nuchal translucency; (3) the correlation between two- and three-dimensional nuchal translucency measurement values. Subjects and methods: Between September 1999 and May 2000, in a prospective cohort study, 229 unselected pregnant women with a mean age of 34.6 (range, 20-46) years were examined. The mean fetal crown-rump length was 64.3 (range, 45-84) mm. Nuchal translucency thickness was measured first by two- and then by three-dimensional ultrasound in two planes (three-dimensional mid-sagittal and three-dimensional transverse). An attempt was made to repeat each nuchal translucency measurement three times (totalling nine measurements per patient) and the means of the two- and three-dimensional measurements were compared. The majority (95%) of the measurements were made transabdominally and 5% were made transvaginally. The time limit for each examination was 20 min. Results: With the two-dimensional method, nuchal translucency could be measured in 96.8% of cases. Of these, three measurements could be obtained in 51.7%, two in 23.2% and only one in 25.1%. The three-dimensional examination was successful in 98.6% of cases. Of these, three measurements could be obtained in 60%, two in 22.8% and one in 17.2%. Transvaginally, all examinations were successful. The main reason for the failure of two-dimensional ultrasound was the fetal position, which in some cases precluded the distinction between fetal skin and amnion or the uterine wall. Using two-dimensional ultrasound, 6.3% of the cases of measurement failure were due to an inability to differentiate clearly between fetal skin and amnion, whilst the equivalent value for the three-dimensional method was only 3.3%. For the three-dimensional technique, fetal movement was the main reason for failure. The mean time for both methods was similar (9 min and 10 min for two- and three-dimensional ultrasound, respectively) and the correlation between the measurements obtained by the two-and three-dimensional techniques was very high (r = 0.97). Conclusion: The number of fetuses in which nuchal translucency could be measured tended to be higher with three-dimensional ultrasound, although the difference was not statistically significant. The possibility of rotating a stored volume and inspecting it in three orthogonal planes makes three-dimensional ultrasound a useful tool for nuchal translucency measurements, especially in doubtful cases.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Clementschitsch, G., Hasenhrl, G., Schaffer, H., & Steiner, H. (2001). Comparison between two- and three-dimensional ultrasound measurements of nuchal translucency. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 18(5), 475–480. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0960-7692.2001.00566.x

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free