Prenatal determination of the upper lesion level of spina bifida with three-dimensional ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the role of three-dimensional (3D) sonography in the prenatal detection of the upper pole in fetuses with spina bifida. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women admitted to a tertiary center with pregnancies with isolated open spina bifida were enrolled in the study. All fetuses had 3D sonography to predict the lesion level. The exact lesion level was ascertained using radiography and/or autopsy following the delivery at term or abortion. RESULTS: Forty-eight cases were eligible for this study. Twenty-eight fetuses were diagnosed in the second trimester and the lesion level was precisely predicted in 24 (86%) of them. In 14 (70%) of the 20 fetuses diagnosed in the last trimester, the level was accurately determined. The remaining 10 fetuses, from both the second and third trimesters, were found to have a lesion level that was within one segment of the predicted lesion level. The correct matching rate was 38/48 (79%), and agreement within one segment was achieved in all cases. DISCUSSION: According to our data, 3D ultrasound is useful for the prenatal determination of lesion level in spina bifida, which is an important prognostic factor.