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Sonography of Neural Tube Defects

A Review

Gerald Grube, MD

Shelia Wagner, BS, RDMS

Section of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.

High-resolution ultrasound has allowed increased definition and detailed study of the fetal brain. From 13 to 14 weeks gestation, congenital anomalies arising from or involving the central nervous system (CNS) can be visualized. Early detection and diagnosis of fetal neural tube defects (NTDs) are rapidly becoming an integral part of modern obstetric care. With the use of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening combined with high-resolution ultrasound, the potential exists to diagnose most NTDs before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Key Words: neural tube defect • alpha-fetoprotein • ultrasound

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