Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Oct 2004
Sonographic cervical length in singleton pregnancies with intact membranes presenting with threatened preterm labor.
Less than 10% of women presenting with preterm contractions progress to active labor and delivery. This study investigates whether cervical length measurements by ultrasound can discriminate between true and false labor in women presenting with threatened preterm labor. ⋯ Sonographic measurement of cervical length helps to avoid overdiagnosis of preterm labor in women with preterm contractions and intact membranes.
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Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · Oct 2004
Ultrasound simulators: experience with the SonoTrainer and comparative review of other training systems.
Ultrasound has become indispensable in prenatal diagnosis. Ultrasound training, however, still lacks proper quality assessment and control. Moreover, most fetal anomalies which must be diagnosed during pregnancy are extremely rare. ⋯ Simulator-based training enabled physicians to diagnose rare fetal anomalies in the second trimester with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. In a study in which second-trimester scans including fetal anomalies were presented to physicians, 96% of the participants subjectively estimated their training effect as being good. We therefore conclude that simulator-based training would provide an ideal educational tool to test, improve and monitor a physician's or technician's ultrasound skills in detecting fetal anomalies.