Study of the size and configuration of the third ventricle of the normal fetus in the second and third trimester by ultrasonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the normal configuration and size of the third ventricle in the second and third trimester fetuses in a normal population by ultrasonography. Methods The third ventricular width and configuration were obtained by antenatal ultrasonography in 765 fetuses with gestational age between 27 weeks and term.The relationship Between the width and the gestational age was analyzed.Results The third ventricle width 0～3 mm and showed the increased tendency; the correlation coefficient ( r ) between the width of the third ventricle and the gestationl week was 0.473 ( P＜0.01).The third ventricle was seen as a single echogenic line in 8(4.8%) of 165 fetuses, 145(61.5%) of all fetuses had parallel echogenic lines outlining a fluid-filled lumen, the V-shaped configuration of the third ventricle was seen in 12(7.3%) of the fetuses.Conclusions The third ventricle width shows the increased tendency in the second and third trimester.The parallel echogenic line becomes the prominent ultrasonography appearance in the second and third trimester fetuses.It's usefull to observe the normal ultrasonic apperance of the third ventricle in diagnosing the fetal central nervous abnormities.