First trimester imaging of fetal anterior wall defect by three-dimensional Doppler sonography

Objective

Differentiation between omphalocele and gastroschisis during late first trimester is of importance. A diagnosis of omphalocele requires meticulous search for chromosomal and cardiac abnormalities, whereas gastroschisis is rarely associated with severe additional anomalies. We used three-dimensional color Doppler techniques for early differentiation of these two conditions.

Case(s)

A 20-year-old G1P0 woman was seen at 13 weeks’ gestation. A fetal anterior wall defect was present (Figure 1). Three-dimensional color Doppler clearly demonstrated the lateral course and insertion of the umbilical cord and sac-free intestinal loops (Figure 2). Tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) aided the definitive diagnosis of gastroschisis (Figure 3).

Conclusion

Three-dimensional color Doppler techniques such as TUI may be useful for differentiation of omphalocele and gastroschisis during late first trimester.

Keywords

Gastroschisis, omphalocele, three-dimensional ultrasonography

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	File/Dsecription
	Figure 1 Anterior wall defect
	Figure 2 Lateral insertion of the umbilical cord and sac-free intestinal loops
	Figure 3 Tomographic ultrasound imaging of gastroschisis