The fetal abdominal wall defects using 2D and 3D ultrasound. Pictorial essay.

The use of fetal ultrasound in prenatal care allows the diagnosis of the majority of abdominal wall defects with subsequent opportunities for parental counseling and optimal perinatal management. Outcome of a fetus with an abdominal wall defect is significantly affected by the presence of additional malformations or chromosomal defects. Appropriate management is dependent on the early identification of such anomalies in addition to accurate delineation of the abdominal wall defect itself. Cases with anterior wall defects are presented to illustrate the spectrum of appearances with 2D and 3D ultrasound. 2D combined with 3D ultrasound are very effective methods in the diagnosis of these anomalies and MRI should be reserved only for difficult and intricate cases.