Imaging the fetal abdomen: how efficacious are the AIUM/ACR guidelines?

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine/American College of Radiology guidelines for the detection of fetal abdominal abnormalities. In Part 1 of the study, images from 100 fetuses with sonographically diagnosed abdominal anomalies were masked except for one view of the abdominal circumference, stomach, renal area, bladder, and cord insertion. Ninety-six cases were recognized as abnormal by two sonologists. In Part 2, sonograms of 70 normal fetuses and 30 abnormal fetuses were similarly masked and shown to a sonographer and a fourth year radiology resident. Each identified 29 of 30 abnormal cases. Among fetuses with abdominal anomalies detectable at a prenatal diagnostic center, the majority of abnormal fetuses could be identified by evaluation of the five AIUM/ACR recommended views.