Study on High Frequency Ultrasound and Autopsy of Malformed Fetuses

  • Mr Shengli Li, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, China
  • Ms Xiulan Chen, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, China
  • Ms Yuan Yao, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, China
  • Mr Huaxuan Wen, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, China
  • Ms Yumei Liao, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, China
  • Ms Li Huang, China

    • Objective: To approach the accuracy and reliability of postmortem fetus ultrasound (PMFU) by comparing results with that from autopsy.
    Methods: 71 fetuses, who were performed prenatal ultrasound examination in Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from December 2006 to October 2007 and were diagnosed of malformation or chromosome abnormalities ,were terminated there and their parents agreed to anatomy.These fetuses were performed PMFU and the results were compared with those from autopsy.
    Results: The coincidence rate was 91.49% (129/141) for PMFU and autopsy, among which 17 malformations PMFU did better than autopsy, Considering the integrity of corpse, the convenience of operation and the time-consuming of autopsy results, The other 8.51% were misdiagnosed . The difference of fetus malformations detection rate between PMFU and PU was of statistic value , P<0.005.PMFU found 29 malformations more than PU and corrected 11 malformations.
    Conclusion: PMFU can serve as a alternative manner of corpse examination.PMFU can be used when autopsy is confused or to guide autopsy.
    Keywords: Malformation, Fetus Corpse, High Frequence Ultrasound, Autopsy