Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Introduction : The second trimester ultrasound remains an important screening tool for detecting fetal abnormalities. This pictorial guide for the second trimester ultrasound is designed to assist practitioners to produce a high quality diagnostic survey of the fetus by demonstrating and describing recommended images.
Methods : Each image is discussed in detail and has an associated drawn line diagram to aid in the identification of the important features of that image. There is a description of the salient landmarks and relevant measurements.
Result : The authors hope this article may act as a useful guide to all practitioners performing second trimester ultrasounds. The second trimester ultrasound is commonly performed between 18 and 22 weeks gestation. Historically the second trimester ultrasound was often the only routine scan offered in a pregnancy and so was expected to provide information about gestational age correcting menstrual dates if necessary , fetal number and type of multiple pregnancy, placental position and pathology, as well as detecting fetal abnormalities.
In order to maximise detection rates there is evidence that the ultrasound should be performed by operators with specific training in the detection of fetal abnormalities.
This pictorial guide is provided as, despite a large volume of literature on the subject, it is difficult to find a single publication that describes the landmarks and range of images which are most useful to look for when performing the second trimester ultrasound. The images provided are representative. Some examinations may yield significantly better images while other examinations, especially in large patients, may yield much less clear images. The authors are not suggesting that an examination is only complete if all of these images are presented.
