DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL ANOMALIES BY 3-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING USING HELICAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

We present the first report on the use of helical computed tomography (CT), a new, non-invasive diagnostic technique that produces three-dim ensional (3-D) images, in prenatal diagnosis. This technique was used to construct 3-D images in the prenatal diagnosis of two anomalous fet uses. The 3-D images provided clear information about the anomalies: t risomy 18 in one case and cystic hygroma in the other. In one case, ra pid intervention after a planned Caesarean section prevented respirato ry distress. Surgery to correct the anomaly was performed 2 days postn atally; the infant recovered uneventfully. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & So ns, Ltd.