Foetal Ultrasound– A Study of Spina Bifida and Associated Anomalies in Rural Pregnant Women

To study the incidence and various types of associated anomalies and complications on obstetric ultrasound, in rural pregnant women. To reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality by early detection of these congenital neuroectodermal anomalies. To assist the obstetrician in taking decisions regarding the termination or continuation of the pregnancy in relation to the type of malformation and its prognosis. A prospective and retrospective study of spina bifida and its associated anomalies was done on 23,000 rural pregnant women coming to the Santhiram Medical College, Radiology Department for a routine obstetric scan. A total of 19 cases spina bifida were detected of which 2 cases were pure spina bifida without any complication, 14 cases had hydrocephalus and meningocele or myelomeningocele and 2 cases had meningocele without hydrocephalus. One case had anencephaly with an incidence of 1 per 1,111 cases. History of similar anomaly and intake of iron and folic acid tablets were noted. Ultrasound is an excellent modality for the diagnosis and characterisation of these neuroectodermal anomalies. Its multiplanar imaging property along with real-time image visualization makes it an excellent tool for the diagnosis and characterization of these anomalies.

Evaluation of Gallbladder Diseases

Gallbladder diseases are very common entities with diverse features of presentation at clinical, radiological and pathological settings with variable morbidities and mortalities. It implies an altered hepatobiliary function. A majority of gallbladder diseases involve gallstones, which form about 95% of all gallbladder diseases. The noncalculus disease forms only about 4–5% of the cases. Inflammations of gallbladder, either acute or chronic, are commonly seen in association with calculus gallbladder. Benign neoplasms are very rare compared to malignant neoplasms that are more common but uncommon compared to inflammatory conditions. Gallbladder diseases are very common and it is appropriate to emphasise that knowledge of these diseases is imperative. In the present study of 50 patients an attempt was made to correlate the clinical, radiological and pathological features of gallbladder diseases and to ascertain the sensitivity of ultrasound in the evaluation of gallbladder diseases. The radiological diagnosis in gallbladder diseases had favourable results against the clinical diagnosis and has also been shown to be impressive against the pathological diagnosis. In our study the radiological diagnosis of gallbladder diseases is shown with reference to most of the disease conditions.

Ultrasound Evaluation of Thyroid Lesions

This study was done at Santhiram general hospital. 57 patients with thyroid swelling were examined with ultrasound and followed up with FNAC. Findings were analyzed which showed that 14 were cystic, 27 solid and 16 were mixed lesions; 93% of cystic lesions were benign (Table 2). Among solid lesions 83% were benign rest malignant. Among mixed lesions 87.75% benign and only 12.25% were malignant (Table 3). Ninty two per cent of goiter showed calicification papillary; carcinoma case showed calicification. Hypoechoic hallow showed 88% benign lesions and 12% of malignant lesions; hence US has a definete role in charecterising thyroid lesions. It is being cheap and readily available. The characterisation of perilesion halo is whether irregular or smooth which helps in differentiating benign and malignant nature of lesion. It helps in FNAC for exact localisation.