Application of the Multiple Head Transducer Scanning Device in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

Until the introduction of the real-time scanning device, the presence or absence of fetal life in early pregnancies has necessitated serial scans done with a B-mode scanner or the combined instrumentation of the B-mode, A-mode, M-mode and Doppler techniques. To assess the accuracy and facility of the multiple head transducer in evaluating early pregnancies, scans were performed on a series of patients with menstrual ages ranging from 7–14 weeks. In all cases, the real-time scanner allowed easy identification of intra-uterine pregnancies. Fetal motion and/or cardiac activity were demonstrated in all normal pregnancies from the 9th week on. Real-time scanning was shown to be a valuable aid in demonstrating early normal and abnormal gestations.