ULTRASONIC COMPOUND B-SCANNING AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

Following the pioneer work of Donald in Glasgow, diagnostic ultrasound has been used to aid clinical diagnosis in obstetric and gynaecology at University College Hospital. Patients have also been referred from neighbouring departments, thus establishing a regional service. Ultrasound is the method of choice in the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole. It has been found particularly useful to exclude hydatidiform mole and to demonstrate a foetus in patients complaining of bleeding in early pregnancy. The conceptus can usually be visualized from the seventh week, and after 12 weeks the foetal head can be seen. In later pregnancy ultrasound may be used to follow the growth of the foetus, to diagnose twins, and to suggest anencephaly in patients with hydramnios. The method is safe for both mother and foetus. In gynaecology ultrasound helps to differentiate between solid and cystic tumours. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.