X-ray pelvimetry in clinical obstetrics.

X-ray pelvimetry has been used in obstetrics for over 80 years, but its clinical usefulness remains uncertain. Review of 101 consecutive x-ray pelvimetries obtained by Brown's modification of the Colcher-Sussman technique demonstrated the anteroposterior measurements to be of no value in predicting the eventual method of delivery. However, a transverse of the inlet of less than 13.0 cm and a transverse of the midpelvis of less than 10.0 cm were each associated with an increased frequency of operative delivery. In 94 cases no new information was obtained by x-ray pelvimetry; in the other 7 patients the information obtained was equally accessible by either ultrasonography or abdominal scout film. The authors conclude that x-ray pelvimetry by the technique used in their institution has very limited usefulness in clinical obstetrics.