[Spina bifida--retrospective analysis of fetuses diagnosed in the department of obstetrics & gynecology of the postgraduate center of medical education between 1997 & 2004].

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were to determine the kind and localisation of the spina bifida and if open neural tube defects are associated with other anomalies and ventriculomegaly.

DESIGN

We retrospectively studied ultrasound reports of the fetuses with open neural tube defects.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We analyzed 178 cases diagnosed during the last seven years in our center. All fetuses underwent a detailed ultrasonographic survey. We also analyzed gestational age at the first examination.

RESULTS

Associated anomalies were detected in 78 cases, in 100 cases spina bifida was the only anomaly. Lumbo-sacral and sacral localisation was presented in 88% of spina bifida not related with other anomalies and in 50% of cases with associated anomalies. In 94.4% of cases the malformation was myelomeningocoele. Ventriculomegaly was present in 89.1%. The median gestational age at the first examination was 26 weeks. Before 24 week only 34.3% of examinations was done.

CONCLUSIONS

In fetuses with spina bifida detailed ultrasonographic survey should be performed. Measurement of the lateral ventricules should be done in each examination. Furthermore patient with fetus with spina bifida should be diagnosed as early as possible in the referral center.