Amniography in the Prenatal Diagnosis of Neural Tube Defects

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Abstract
Amniography for the visualization and confirmation of suspected neural tube defect was performed in 9 midtrimester gravidas. In all cases, amniotic fluid .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP) was abnormally elevated. Four cases of anencephaly and 1 of spina bifida were demonstrated by amniography. These pregnancies were terminated and the defects were confirmed by gross pathologic examination. In 4 remaining cases, amniography was normal. Three of these pregnancies proceeded to term, culminating in the birth of a normal child. The 4th patient had spontaneous abortion of a normal fetus at 23 wk of gestation. Amniography was an important adjunctive diagnostic technique in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defect, and if used correctly, may significantly reduce the chance of false-positive diagnosis.