EARLY DETECTION OF STRUCTURAL ANOMALIES AND MARKERS OF CHROMOSOMAL-ABERRATIONS BY TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Transvaginal ultrasonography is emerging as the newest method for the early detection of structural malformations and markers of chromosomal aberrations. According to a multicenter registry on the onset of feta l anomalies, many defects are potentially detectable at an early trans vaginal scan. Moreover, cystic hygroma and other nuchal signs thought to indicate a very significant risk for a genetic problem detected dur ing the first trimester may resolve and not be detected at the later a bdominal scan. Current research presented in this review indicates a p ossible transition from an abdominal scan at 18-22 weeks to two scans: an early transvaginal scan at 12-14 weeks for the detection of gross congenital anomalies and markers of chromosomal aberrations, and then an abdominal scan at 22 weeks for cardiac and other anomalies.