CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 37, no. 3, 2011

Benefits of Using Sonographic Markers at the Triple Test Ultrasound

[Original paper]

AL. COMANESCU, D. ILIESCU, N. CERNEA, STEFANIA TUDORACHE, CLAUDIA OPREA

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova


Abstract:

Introduction: Part of the SONOSEROSCREEN PROJECT , we study at the end of the first trimester  a group of biochemical and ultrasonographic variables. Regardeless the results obtained, all the patients enrolled in this cohort is subject to a second study in the early second trimester that  encompases the dosage of AFP(+/- Ia), ?-hCG, uE3 and an  ultrasonographic exam targeted at precise biometry and fetal morphology. We tried to evaluate the achievable benefits  of assesing several markers that are part of the genetic sonogram and the way they change the risk class. Methods: The markers we chose to pursue in our project were : nuchal fold, nasal bone,  cardiac echogenic foci, short femur, short humerus, presence of echogenic bowel.  All present results markers were integrated in a formula that allowed reasesment of  the risk as published by DeVore and we followed in which way this affected the decision whether to proceed with the amiocentesis or not. Our choice was limited by the fact that this was a retrospective study and so we were forced to choose markers we have routinely looked for in our previous triple test ultrasound exams. Results and conclusion: Using the recalculation of risk for every single case we would have been  able to reduce the amniocentesis rate by 17% and drastically improve the rate of detection for aneuploidies. However the evaluation of all markers and non-automatic recalculation of risk is time consuming and should be used only for cases with intermediate risk at the triple/QUAD test


Keywords: triple test, sonographic markers, amniocentesis



Corresponding: Alexandru. Comanescu, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Str Petru Rares nr. 4, 200456, Craiova, Dolj, RomAnia; mail aleodor77@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.37.03.06 - Download PDF
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