Fetus acardius - Two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic diagnoses

Objective. To determine whether ultrasonographic detection of acardiac fetu ses and diagnostic accuracy of related malformations improve with complemen tary use of two-dimensional ultrasonography, three-dimensional ultrasonogra phy, and Doppler scanning. Methods. Three pregnant women with multifetal ge stations who were found to have discordant fetuses on initial two-dimension al ultrasonographic scanning were subsequently scanned with three-dimension al ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasonography. Results. Although the possibility of acardiac fetuses was entertained in all cases after two-dim ensional ultrasonographic scanning, the diagnosis was confirmed, and the ac curacy and extent of fetal malformations were established with three-dimens ional ultrasonography and color Doppler scanning. Two of the women had twin gestations, and the third woman had a triplet gestation. Among the women w ith twin gestations, I donor twin had no abnormalities, and the other donor twin had a diagnosis of arthrogryposis and gastroschisis. The woman with t riplets had 1 acardiac fetus; the donor fetus was anencephalic; and the thi rd fetus had alobar holoprosencephaly. Conclusions. Complementary use of tw o-dimensional ultrasonography, three-dimensional ultrasonography, and color Doppler scanning improves diagnostic accuracy and the ability to evaluate the extent and severity of organ compromise in pregnancies complicated by a cardiac fetuses.