Prenatal Ultrasonography in Assessing Limb Body Wall Complex at Gestation / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

PurposeTo explore the value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis of fetuses with limb body wall complex (LBWC).Material and MethodsThe ultrasound images and follow-up results were studied retrospectively in 20 cases of LBWC, and the ultrasonic features of LBWC were analyzed.ResultsAll 20 cases showed rather severe body wall defect and spinal abnormality, including 16 cases of abdominal wall defect, 4 cases of abdominal thoracoabdominal defect, 8 cases of idiopathic scoliosis, 2 cases of kyphosis, 3 cases of twist into a corner, 1 cases of distortion as S shape, and 6 cases of vertebral body arranged in disorder. Moreover, 16 cases presented abnormal umbilical cord,among which 11 had too short umbilical cord, 1 without umbilical cord, and 7 as single umbilical artery (3 cases with short cord). Five cases showed limb abnormalities, among which 2 cases were left lower limb absence, 1 cases as left upper limb absent, 1 cases as left foot varus and right foot slightly varus, and 1 cases as left foot drop.ConclusionPrenatal ultrasonography can accurately diagnose LBWC in time, so as to provide evidence for early clinical intervention.