N T Scan what else too image & interpret ?

  

N T Scan what else too image & interpret ?  Average fetal length and weight chart

Pregnancy week	Length (inches)	Length (cm)
10 weeks	1.2in	3.1cm
11 weeks	1.6in	4.1cm
12 weeks	2.1in	5.4cm
13 weeks	2.9in	7.4cm

8 more rows

 

 

The nuchal translucency has to be differentiated from with cystic hygroma   which are two   dilated   cervical     lymphatic    sac or Tr   scar   it   the level of neck  which  is septate   for NT .High  resolution    scan –should also look  for any added   foetal  anatomical defect   ( cardiac   defect  then go for CVS.  One must REPEAT THE MEASUREMENT and to take the measurement 3 times and record  the average of three .The image should be freezed and kept ready for future reference .  

How best to counsel about  benefits  of  Nuchal  translucency (NT) scan while you are in private practice??  You / your chamber   Asstt can communicate in following manner :-

What is nuchal translucency? Ans:-Nuchal translucency is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of your baby's neck. The amount of fluid is measured during a nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound scan: It is done from between 11 weeks and 13.6 weeks of pregnancy i.e. when your foetus  measures between 45mm (1.8in) and 84mm (3.3 in). The pregnant woman must be reassured that all developing foetus have some fluid at the back of their neck. But many babies with Down's syndrome have an increased amount.
That's why the NT scan is used to help screen for Down's syndrome because in most of the Trisomy 21 the Translucency is increased and may be associated with some cardiac defects which can be picked up at that time.

Is   NT scan is an Universal procedure ?? Yes, globally that is the recommendation.

All pregnant women are offered an NT scan, to help assess whether or not their babies are likely to have Down's syndrome.
Every woman has a chance of giving birth to a baby with Down's syndrome. The chance increases as she gets older. A screening test tries to get a clearer estimation of whether her foetus  may have Down's syndrome. It can't tell you for sure.(probality-Statistical Risk stratification)

For example, if the result of her scan shows that she  have a one in 1,000 chance, this means that for every 1,000 babies with  her  level of likelihood, one will have Down's syndrome. A chance of one in 150 or less is considered high. Diagnostic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, can say for sure whether or not her baby has Down's syndrome.
However, diagnostic tests carry a small risk of miscarriage. Because of this,  obstetrician will prefer   to have a screening test before the doctor in charge  offer her  a diagnostic test.

By this time members have understood that this is a screening tests (NT Scan ) and the screening test combines A)  the NT scan result, & B)  a blood test and other factors, such as C) her  age. The test is designed to give her as much information as possible, enabling the doctor to decide whether or not to go ahead with a diagnostic test.

How is the nuchal scan performed?

An NT scan must take place at a particular time in pregnancy. This is between 11 weeks and 13  weeks plus six days, to be exact, or when her foetus  crown rump length (CRL) is between 45mm (1.8   in) and 84mm (3.3  in). So the NT scan will usually happen alongside her routine dating scan. It's difficult to do the scan before 11 weeks because foetus is still so small. It would also be too early to combine it wither  first trimester blood test.
It's too late to do the NT scan after 14 weeks, as any excess nuchal fluid may be absorbed by her developing foetus which finally forms and is utilized in formation of developing lymphatic system.

The scan is usually done through TVS route (if consent allowed) using normal ultrasound equipment. The person carrying out the scan (sonographer) can also be done abdominally with full bladder,. TVS is helpful for women who  are A) obese and .
if her uterus is B) retroverted or C) she(patient)  has no time to wait at USG office for getting the bladder full to have a nice window of image .To date her  pregnancy accurately, the sonographer will measure CRL three times and average will be taken and USG machine is feuded with data and will there will be display of EDD . CRL means from skin of parietal bone (top)  from to the bottom of  sacrum (skin overlying sacrum) This is called Rump. .. The skin  overlying the neck of foetus will  appear as a white line, and the fluid under the skin will look black.If there is double screen (one for sonographer and another for patient ) then patient too can  usually be able to see her foetus head, spine, limbs, hands and feet on the screen. Your sonographer will be able to rule out some major abnormalities, such as problems with foetal abdominal wall, stomach, and skull, at this scan.