Pulmonary hypoplasia was diagnosed sonographically in 32 fetuses from 20 to
33 weeks of gestation. In addition to standard biometry, transverse thorac
ic diameter (TTD), sagittal thoracic diameter (TSD), thoracic circumference
(TC) and lung diameter (LD) were measured in all cases and compared with k
nown nomograms.
The fetuses were divided into five groups according to the main sonographic
findings: group 1-skeletal dysplasia; group 2-renal agenesis; group 3-diap
hragmatic hernia; group 4-hydrothorax; and group 5-others.
Severe pulmonary hypoplasia CPH) was diagnosed prenatally in all cases on t
he basis of LD measurements. In 17 (53.1 per cent) out of 32 cases TTD was
below the 5th percentile while lower TSD measurements were recorded in 15 (
46.8 per cent) fetuses. A thorax circumference below the 5th percentile for
the respective gestational age was found in 15 cases (46.8 per cent) and a
decreased LD/TC ratio in 25 cases (78.1 per cent). In 13 out of 32 fetuses
pulmonary hypoplasia was diagnosed before, and in 19 cases after 24 weeks
of gestation. Pulmonary hypoplasia was confirmed by autopsy in all cases.
Conclusion: pulmonary hypoplasia can be sonographically detected before 24
weeks of gestation. In cases of skeletal dysplasia and renal agenesis pulmo
nary hypoplasia can be diagnosed by chest and lung measurements, whereas in
diaphragmatic hernia and hydrothorax diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia is
possible only by lung measurement. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Lt
d.