Prenatal ultrasound findings in diagnosis of fetal hemivertebrae

Objective: To explore the ultrasonographic characteristics of fetal hemivertebrae. Methods: Prenatal ultrasound data of 29 fetuses with hemivertebrae confirmed by imaging examination after odinopoeia or birth were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The ultrasonography characteristics of fetal hemivertebrae were found as followed: In sagittal section, the spine lose the normal curve, the affected vertebra was not in alignment and was smaller than the normal vertebra. In coronal section, the affected vertebra was triangle or wedge and the spine was shown as scoliosis or angulation deformity. In cross section, the affected vertebra was smaller than the normal one with irregular shape. The hemivertebrae occurred in the thoracic vertebra in 14 fetuses (14/29, 48.28%), in the lumbar vertebra in 13 fetuses (13/29, 44.83%) and in the sacral coccygeal vertebra in 2 fetuses (2/29, 6.90%). There were 12 fetuses (12/29, 41.38%) being complicated with 15 kinds of congenital malformations, among them congenital heart disease was common. Conclusion: There is certain characteristics of fetal hemivertebrae in prenatal ultrasound and congenital heart disease is a common complicated deformity.