High‐frequency transvaginal sonographic examination for the potential malformation assessment of the 9‐week to 14‐week fetus

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the ability of the high-frequency transvaginal scanning method to consistently image first- and early second-trimester fetal structures, such as body contours, long bones, fingers, face, palate, feet, toes, and the four-chamber view. Ninety-seven low-risk pregnancies were scanned from 9 weeks to 14 menstrual weeks inclusive. Accurate dating was ascertained. The results showed that consistent detection of the respective structures was achieved at the following menstrual ages: sagittal contours at 9 weeks to 10 weeks, long bones at 10 weeks to 11 weeks, fingers at 12 weeks, face and palate at 12 weeks, feet and toes at 13 weeks, and the four-chamber view at 14 weeks. The organs and structures examined could be detected at 9 weeks to 14 weeks inclusive. An increasing number of structure were detected consistently with the increasing menstrual age. The study supports the possibility of searching for specific malformations at or after the menstrual ages mentioned, or performing a more comprehensive malformation evaluation after 13 weeks.

Transvaginal Assessment of Fetal Anatomy at 11 to 16 Weeks of Gestation in Relation to Fetal Position

“…Since the initial applications of this technique, several studies have evaluated its ability to recognize fetal organ systems in the different GA [2,6,7]. Already, transvaginal sonography makes it possible to scan and accurately scrutinize fetal anatomy, thus a knowledge of the visualization rate of the different embryonic and fetal structures at dif-ferent GA is mandatory to determine when the optimal visualization period is for embryo-fetal structures.…”

“…Improved image resolution and the consequential increase in the detection rate of various structures in the weeks of early pregnancy provide an increased knowledge of many aspects of normal anatomy and early embryological development [1][2][3].…”

“…In the routine use of transvaginal sonography in obstetrics, it is necessary to take into account the timing of when the examination is performed [2] and factors which affect the possibility of performing an accurate examination [4].…”

Early Antenatal Diagnosis of Cardiac Defects Using Transvaginal Doppler Ultrasound: New Perspectives?

“…Using high-frequency transvaginal probes with twodimensional echocardiography and color Doppler flow imaging, a more detailed investigation of both hemodynamic aspects [1,2] and cardiac anatomy is feasible from 13 weeks of gestation onwards [3][4][5], and it is already possible to assess potential malformations after 11 weeks of gestation [6,7].…”

Endovaginal Sonographic Diagnosis of Craniorachischisis at 13 Weeks of Gestation

“…Previous studies have identified normal anatomic structures from 9 to 14 weeks after the last menstruation [ 1 ]. Nowadays, the early prenatal diagnosis of severe anomalies, such as neural tube defects (NTD), is possible.…”