The Value of Prenatal Ultrasound in diagnosing Spina Bifida Occulta of Fetus

  • Naisen Wu, Rizhao Municipal Hospital, China
  • Yanfeng Xu, Rizhao Municipal Hospital, China
  • Qinghua Liu, Rizhao Municipal Hospital, China
  • Fajin Dong, Rizhao Municipal Hospital, China
  • Lianli Jie, Rizhao Municipal Hospital, China

    • Objective To investigate the prenatal ultrasound appearance of spina bifida occulta (SBO), and improve the recognition of this abnormality.

    Methods Nine cases of SBO diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound were reviewed retrospectively. By comparing with radiology results, the characteristics of ultrasound were summarized.

    Results 8 of 9 cases were confirmed as SBO by X-ray or MRI, and 1 case was spina bifida manifesta. SBO has its unique features in ultrasound appearance, including the disappearance of physiological curvature of spine, the disordered arrangement of intravertebral body in pathologic lesion, the absence of vertebral plate and opening of vertebral arch, the intact skin of the back, no protrusion of cystic mass and the deformity of the skull.

    Conclusions Prenatal ultrasound is a reliable method in diagnosing SBO.