Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The fourth ventricle, seen as intracranial translucency (IT) at 11-13(+6) weeks, has been reported to be obliterated in cases of open spina bifida (OSB). Our aim was to assess its role in detecting OSB at 11-13(+6) weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at foetal medicine unit from January 2014 to June 2015. All women who underwent both first and mid-trimester scan in our unit were included in the study. IT was categorized as normal, obliterated or not clear. Spine was examined during both scans. RESULTS: Totally, 341 cases were included in the study. IT was found to be obliterated in four cases and not clear in one case. There was demonstrable OSB at 11-13(+6) weeks in two cases, at 15-16 weeks in two cases and at 24 weeks in one case. In the remaining 336 cases with normal IT, spine was found to be normal at target scan. CONCLUSION: Mid-sagittal view of face that is routinely used to measure nuchal translucency (NT) can also be used to detect OSB. It is feasible to integrate IT into the routine 11-13(+6) weeks scan.