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Sonographic Determination of Type in a Fetal Imperforate Anus
Author(s) -
Lee Mi-Young,
Won Hye-Sung,
Shim Jae-Yoon,
Lee Pil-Ryang,
Kim Ahm,
Lee Byong Sop,
Kim Ellen Ai-Rhan,
Cho Hyun Jin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/ultra.15.08056
Subject(s) - imperforate anus , medicine , anus , prenatal diagnosis , fetus , obstetrics , surgery , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the type of an imperforate anus by using sonography in the prenatal period. Methods This retrospective study evaluated the fetal anus in all pregnant women, including low‐ and high‐risk populations, between February 2010 and November 2013. High‐type imperforate anuses were diagnosed by prenatal sonography when the anal sphincter muscles and anal canal mucosa were not visible. Low‐type imperforate anuses were prenatally suspected when at least 1 of the following was present: (1) a small anus; (2) no visible anal mucosa; or (3) close location of the genitalia by the anus without a visible perineal body, particularly in a female fetus. Results Among the 9499 fetuses, 41 were prenatally suspected of having an imperforate anus, and 32 were confirmed to have this disorder. During the same study period, there were 11 false‐negative cases, for a diagnostic sensitivity rate of 74%. All 9 fetuses who were confirmed to have a normal anus were prenatally suspected of having a low‐type imperforate anus. Among the 32 fetuses with a confirmed imperforate anus, 19 were confirmed to have a high or intermediate type and 13 to have a low type. The type in 3 fetuses was incorrectly determined prenatally. Conclusions Although an imperforate anus is not always diagnosed prenatally, its type can be determined by prenatal sonography.