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| Study of fetal lung volume using virtual organ computer aided analytical technique |
| CHEN Li-zhu, WANG Xiao-guang, CAI Ai-lu, WANG Bing |
| Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China |
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Abstract Objective: To evaluate the correlation between fetal lung volumes and gestational age, and estimated fetal weight, and to evaluate the potential diagnostic value of ultrasound fetal lung to body weight ratio(UFLB) in fetal pulmonary hypoplasia(PH). Methods: The fetal lung volumes were assessed in 315 normal fetuses and 28 fetuses with high risk of PH using the technique of virtual organ computer-aided analysis(VOCAL). The relationships between the lung volumes and gestational age, and fetal weight were assessed by correlation and regression analysis. The value of UFLB in the diagnosis of fetal PH was acquired by compared with the postnatal findings. Results: Fetal lung volumes were highly correlated with gestational age(r=0.93，P<0.05), and with fetal weight(r=0.97，P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of UFLB in diagnosing fetal PH was 89.47%, 85.71%, 94.44% and 75.00%, respectively, and the accuracy was 88.46%. Conclusion: In normal fetuses, fetal lung volumes increase with gestational age and fetal weight. UFLB may be useful in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal PH.
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Received: 19 October 2011
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2012, Vol. 23 
