Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010)

Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/uog.8831

GUIDELINES

Practice guidelines for performance of the routine

mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan
L. J. SALOMON, Z. ALFIREVIC, V. BERGHELLA, C. BILARDO, E. HERNANDEZ-ANDRADE,
S. L. JOHNSEN, K. KALACHE, K.-Y. LEUNG, G. MALINGER, H. MUNOZ, F. PREFUMO, A. TOI
and W. LEE on behalf of the ISUOG Clinical Standards Committee

Clinical Standards Committee

The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics
and Gynecology (ISUOG) is a scientific organization
that encourages sound clinical practice, teaching and
research for diagnostic imaging in womens healthcare.
The ISUOG Clinical Standards Committee (CSC) has
a remit to develop Practice Guidelines and Consensus
Statements as educational recommendations that provide
healthcare practitioners with a consensus-based approach
for diagnostic imaging. They are intended to reflect what is
considered by ISUOG to be the best practices at the time at
which they were issued. Although ISUOG has made every
effort to ensure that guidelines are accurate when issued,
neither the Society nor any of its employees or members
accepts any liability for the consequences of any inaccurate or misleading data, opinions or statements issued
by the CSC. They are not intended to establish a legal
standard of care because interpretation of the evidence
that underpins the guidelines may be influenced by individual circumstances and available resources. Approved
guidelines can be distributed freely with the permission of
ISUOG ([email protected]).

INTRODUCTION
Ultrasonography is widely used for the prenatal evaluation of growth and anatomy as well as for the management
of multiple gestations. The procedure provides diagnostic
findings that often facilitate the management of problems
arising in later pregnancy. For example, abnormal fetal
growth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries. In
2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded
that impaired fetal growth had many causes related to:
genetic factors, maternal characteristics such as nutrition,
lifestyle including smoking, age and disease; complications of pregnancy; and the physical, social and economic
environment1,2 . A mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

serves as an important baseline against which later scans

may be compared for the evaluation of growth and health.
Ultrasonography can also be used to detect congenital anomalies3 6 . The Eurofetus study7 , a multicenter
project involving 61 obstetric ultrasound units from 14
European countries, examined the accuracy of routine
mid-trimester ultrasonographic examination in unselected
populations. Over one half (56%) of 4615 malformations
were detected and 55% of major anomalies were identified
before 24 weeks of gestation.
Although many countries have developed local guidelines for the practice of fetal ultrasonography, there
are still many areas of the world where they have not
been implemented. Most countries offer at least one
mid-trimester scan as part of standard prenatal care,
although obstetric practice varies widely around the
world. This can be related to the availability of qualified
practitioners and equipment, local medical practice and
legal considerations; in some countries, insurance-related
cost reimbursements strongly influence how routine midtrimester scans are implemented. Nonetheless, a WHO
Study Group stated: Worldwide, it is likely that much
of the ultrasonography currently performed is carried out
by individuals with in fact little or no formal training.8 .
The intent of this document is to provide further guidance for healthcare practitioners in the performance of
the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
What is the purpose of a mid-trimester fetal ultrasound
scan?
The main objective of a routine mid-trimester fetal
ultrasound scan is to provide accurate diagnostic
information for the delivery of optimized antenatal care
with the best possible outcomes for mother and fetus.
The procedure is used to determine gestational age and
to perform fetal measurements for the timely detection of

ISUOG GUIDELINES

Guidelines
growth abnormalities later in pregnancy. Other goals
are to detect congenital malformations and multiple
pregnancies.
Prenatal screening examination includes an evaluation
of the following:
-

cardiac activity;
fetal number (and chorionicity if multiple pregnancy);
fetal age/size;
basic fetal anatomy;
placental appearance and location.

Although many malformations can be identified, it

is acknowledged that some may be missed, even with
sonographic equipment in the best of hands, or that
they may develop later in pregnancy. Before starting the
examination, a healthcare practitioner should counsel the
woman/couple regarding the potential benefits and limitations of a routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan.

Who should have a mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan?

Many countries offer at least one routine mid-trimester
fetal ultrasound scan. As one example, an imaging workshop organized by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development in
the United States9 reached a consensus that all pregnant women should be offered an ultrasound scan for the
detection of fetal anomalies and pregnancy complications.
Serial scans may be helpful for some mothers with risk
factors for adverse pregnancy outcome (e.g. hypertension
or diabetes) and others may benefit from more detailed
scans that are targeted to their specific situation. Repeated
or detailed examinations, however, are not considered to
be routine scans.

When should the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan be

performed?
A routine mid-trimester ultrasound scan is often performed between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation. This
period represents a compromise between dating the pregnancy (more accurate if established earlier) and the
timely detection of major congenital anomalies. Countries
where pregnancy termination is restricted should balance
detection rates against the time needed for counseling
and additional investigation. Some centers perform the
anatomical survey using transvaginal scanning at approximately 1316 weeks gestation. This earlier approach
can provide useful information about gestational age as a
baseline for growth assessment or determination of chorionicity for twins, but may require special training for the
early interpretation of anatomical structures.

Who should perform the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound

scan?
Individuals who routinely perform obstetric scans should
have specialized training for the practice of diagnostic ultrasonography in pregnant women. However, the

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

requirements for this activity may vary depending on the

country.
In order to achieve optimal results from routine
screening examinations, it is suggested that scans should
be performed by individuals who fulfil the following
criteria10 :
- trained in the use of diagnostic ultrasonography and
related safety issues;
- regularly perform fetal ultrasound scans;
- participate in continuing medical education activities;
- have established appropriate referral patterns for
suspicious or abnormal findings;
- routinely undertake quality assurance and control
measures.

What ultrasonographic equipment should be used?

For routine screening, equipment should have at least the
following:
- real time, gray-scale ultrasound capabilities;
- transabdominal transducers (35-MHz range);
- adjustable acoustic power output controls with output
display standards;
- freeze frame capabilities;
- electronic calipers;
- capacity to print/store images;
- regular maintenance and servicing, important for
optimal equipment performance.

What document should be produced/stored/printed

or sent to the referring healthcare provider?
An examination report should be produced as an
electronic and/or a paper document, to be sent to the
referring care provider in reasonable time. A sample
reporting form is available at the end of this article.
Images of standard views (stored either electronically or
as printed copies) should also be produced and stored.
Motion videoclips are recommended for the fetal heart.
Local laws should be followed. Many jurisdictions require
image storage for a defined period of time.

Is prenatal ultrasonography safe?

Prenatal ultrasonography appears to be safe for clinical
practice. To date, there has been no independently
confirmed study to suggest otherwise. Fetal exposure
times should be minimized, using the lowest possible
power output needed to obtain diagnostic information,
following the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably
Achievable). More details are available from the ISUOG
Safety Statement11 .

What if the examination cannot be performed

in accordance with these guidelines?
These recommendations represent minimum practice
guidelines for the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan

Consideration must be given to local circumstances and
medical practices. Reasons for deviations from these
recommendations should be documented. If the examination cannot be performed completely in accordance
with adopted guidelines, the scan should be repeated, at
least in part, at a later time, or the patient can be referred
to another practitioner. This should be done as soon as
possible, to minimize unnecessary patient anxiety and
unnecessary delay in the potential diagnosis of congenital
anomalies or growth disturbances.

What is the role of a more detailed ultrasonographic

examination?
Individuals who perform ultrasonographic scans during
pregnancy should have referral mechanisms in place
to manage suspected or detected abnormalities. A
minimum examination, following the guidelines presented
herein, should be performed before referring the patient,
unless technical factors prevent completion of the initial
evaluation.

GUIDELINES FOR EXAMINATION

Fetal biometry and wellbeing
The following sonographic parameters can be used to
estimate gestational age and for fetal size assessment12 14 :
-

biparietal diameter (BPD);

head circumference (HC);
abdominal circumference (AC) or diameter;
femur diaphysis length (FDL).

Measurements should be performed in a standardized

manner on the basis of strict quality criteria15 . An audit
of results can help to ensure accuracy of techniques with
regard to specific reference tables. An image(s) should be
taken to document the measurement(s). Examples of still
images appropriate for fetal biometry are demonstrated
in Figure 1.
If gestational age has not already been established at
a dating or first-trimester scan, it should be determined

at the mid-trimester scan on the basis of fetal head size

(BPD and/or HC) or FDL. The chosen reference standards
should be indicated in the report16 . Subsequent scans
should not be used to calculate a new estimated date of
confinement if age has already been established by a highquality scan earlier in the pregnancy. Additional measurements, optimally at least 3 weeks from a preceding scan,
are usually reported as deviations from mean values with
their expected ranges for a given age. This information
can be expressed as Z-scores, percentile reference ranges
or on a graph, although the degree of deviation from
normal at this early stage of pregnancy that would justify
action (e.g. a follow-up scan to assess fetal growth or fetal
chromosomal analysis) has not been firmly established.
Combining measurements significantly improves accuracy compared with prediction based on HC alone17 .
However, the clinical significance of this improvement is
marginal because the improved accuracy represents less
than 1 day18 .
Biparietal diameter (BPD)
Anatomy.
- Cross-sectional view of the fetal head at the level of the
thalami;
- ideal angle of insonation is 90 to the midline echoes;
- symmetrical appearance of both hemispheres;
- continuous midline echo (falx cerebri) broken in middle
by the cavum septi pellucidi and thalamus;
- no cerebellum visualized.
Caliper placement. Both calipers should be placed
according to a specific methodology, because more than
one technique has been described (e.g. outer edge to inner
edge or leading edge technique vs. outer edge to outer
edge), at the widest part of the skull, using an angle
that is perpendicular to the midline falx (Figure 1)19 . The
same technique as that used to establish the reference
chart should be used. The cephalic index is a ratio
of the maximum head width to its maximum length
and this value can be used to characterize fetal head
shape. Abnormal head shape (e.g. brachycephaly and
dolichocephaly) can be associated with syndromes. This
finding can also lead to inaccurate estimates of fetal age

Figure 1 Standard fetal biometry: sonographic measurements of the biparietal diameter and head circumference (a), the abdominal
circumference (b) and the femur diaphysis length (c). In this example, calipers are placed on the outer and inner edges of the skull for BPD
measurement (large white dots in (a)); some reference charts have been developed using different caliper placement for this measurement
(e.g. outer edge to outer edge of the skull).

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Guidelines
when the BPD is used; in these cases, HC measurements
are more reliable20 .
Head circumference (HC)
Anatomy. As described for the BPD, ensuring that
the circumference placement markers correspond to the
technique described on the reference chart.
Caliper placement. If the ultrasound equipment has ellipse
measurement capacity, then the HC can be measured
directly by placing the ellipse around the outside of
the skull bone echoes (Figure 1). Alternatively, the HC
can be calculated from the BPD and occipitofrontal
diameter (OFD) as follows: the BPD is measured using a
leading edge technique as described in the previous section
whereas the OFD is obtained by placing the calipers in the
middle of the bone echo at both the frontal and occipital
skull bones. HC is then calculated using the equation: HC
= 1.62 (BPD + OFD).
Abdominal circumference (AC)
Anatomy.
- Transverse section of the fetal abdomen (as circular as
possible);
- umbilical vein at the level of the portal sinus;
- stomach bubble visualized;
- kidneys should not be visible.
Caliper placement. The AC is measured at the outer
surface of the skin line, either directly with ellipse
calipers or calculated from linear measurements made
perpendicular to each other, usually the anteroposterior
abdominal diameter (APAD) and transverse abdominal
diameter (TAD) (Figure 1). To measure the APAD, the
calipers are placed on the outer borders of the body
outline, from the posterior aspect (skin covering the spine)
to the anterior abdominal wall. To measure the TAD, the
calipers are placed on the outer borders of the body
outline, across the abdomen at the widest point. The AC
is then calculated using the formula: AC = (APAD +
TAD)/2 = 1.57 (APAD + TAD).
Femur diaphysis length (FDL)
Anatomy. The FDL is imaged optimally with both ends of
the ossified metaphysis clearly visible21,22 . The longest
axis of the ossified diaphysis is measured. The same
technique as that used to establish the reference chart
should be used with regard to the angle between the
femur and the insonating ultrasound beams. An angle of
insonation between 45 and 90 is typical.
Caliper placement. Each caliper is placed at the ends of
the ossified diaphysis without including the distal femoral
epiphysis if it is visible (Figure 1). This measurement
should exclude triangular spur artifacts that can falsely
extend the diaphysis length.

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Estimated fetal weight (EFW)

Mid-trimester sonographic measurements can be used to
identify abnormalities of fetal size23,24 . Some countries
also use this information to estimate fetal weight as
a baseline parameter for the detection of subsequent
growth problems. Many size discrepancies are explained
by incorrect menstrual age estimates, even in women
with certain dates25,26 . If gestational age is determined
at an earlier scan, EFW can be compared to dedicated
normal, preferably local, reference ranges for this
parameter14,27,28 . However, the degree of deviation from
normal at this early stage of pregnancy that would justify
action (e.g. follow-up scan to assess fetal growth or fetal
chromosomal analysis) has not been firmly established.
Amniotic fluid assessment
Amniotic fluid volume can be estimated subjectively or
using sonographic measurements. Subjective estimation is
not inferior to the quantitative measurement techniques
(e.g. deepest pocket, amniotic fluid index) when performed by experienced examiners29,30 . Patients with deviations from normal should have more detailed anatomical
evaluation and clinical follow-up.
Fetal movement
Normal fetuses typically have a relaxed position and
show regular movements. There are no specific movement
patterns at this stage of pregnancy. Temporary absence
or reduction of fetal movements during the scan
should not be considered as a risk factor31 . Abnormal
positioning or unusually restricted or persistently absent
fetal movements may suggest abnormal fetal conditions
such as arthrogryposis32 . The biophysical profile is not
considered part of a routine mid-trimester scan33 .
Doppler ultrasonography
The application of Doppler techniques is not currently
recommended as part of the routine second-trimester
ultrasound examination. There is insufficient evidence
to support universal use of uterine or umbilical
artery Doppler evaluation for the screening of low-risk
pregnancies34 36 .
Multiple gestation
The evaluation of multiple pregnancies should include the
following additional elements:
- visualization of the placental cord insertion;
- distinguishing features (gender, unique markers, position in uterus);
- determination of chorionicity is sometimes feasible in
the second trimester if there are clearly two separate
placental masses and discordant genders. Chorionicity
is much better evaluated before 1415 weeks (lambda
sign or T-sign).
Abnormalities of umbilical cord insertion into the
placenta, such as velamentous cord insertion, are more

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan

common in multiple gestations and can be associated with
several pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth
restriction, vasa previa and abnormal fetal heart rate
patterns37,38 . Unfortunately, many cases of vasa previa
may not be recognized during pregnancy39 .

Table 1 Recommended minimum requirements for basic

mid-trimester fetal anatomical survey
Head

Intact cranium
Cavum septi pellucidi
Midline falx
Thalami
Cerebral ventricles
Cerebellum
Cisterna magna

Face

Both orbits present

Median facial profile*
Mouth present
Upper lip intact

Follow-up of multiple pregnancies should be arranged

in accordance with local guidelines and clinical practices.

Anatomical survey
Recommended minimum requirements for a basic fetal
anatomical survey during the mid-trimester of pregnancy
are summarized in Table 1.

Neck

Absence of masses (e.g. cystic hygroma)

Chest/Heart

Normal appearing shape/size of chest and lungs

Heart activity present
Four-chamber view of heart in normal position
Aortic and pulmonary outflow tracts*
No evidence of diaphragmatic hernia

Abdomen

Stomach in normal position

Bowel not dilated
Both kidneys present
Cord insertion site

Skeletal

No spinal defects or masses (transverse and

sagittal views)
Arms and hands present, normal relationships
Legs and feet present, normal relationships

Placenta

Position
No masses present
Accessory lobe

Head
Skull. Four areas of the fetal skull should be evaluated
routinely: size, shape, integrity and bone density. All
these characteristics can be visualized at the time of the
head measurements and when the brain is evaluated for
anatomical integrity (Figure 2)40 .
- Size: measurements are performed as mentioned in the
biometry section.
- Shape: the skull normally has an oval shape without
focal protrusions or defects and is interrupted only by
narrow echolucent sutures. Alterations of shape (e.g.
lemon, strawberry, cloverleaf) should be documented
and investigated41 .
- Integrity: no bony defects should be present. Rarely,
brain tissue can extrude through defects of the frontal
or occipital bones, although cephaloceles may occur at
other sites as well.
- Density: normal skull density is manifested as a continuous echogenic structure that is interrupted only by cranial sutures in specific anatomical locations. The absence
of this whiteness or extreme visibility of the fetal brain
should raise suspicion of poor mineralization (e.g. osteogenesis imperfecta, hypophosphatasia)42 . Poor mineralization is also suggested when the skull becomes easily
depressed as a result of manual pressure from transducer
placement against the maternal abdominal wall.

Umbilical cord

Three-vessel cord*

Genitalia

Male or female*

*Optional component of checklist: can be evaluated if technically

feasible.

Brain. Standard scanning planes for the basic examination of the fetal brain have already been described in an
ISUOG guideline document19 which can be downloaded
from the Societys website (http://www.isuog.org). Two
axial planes permit visualization of the cerebral structures
relevant to the anatomical integrity of the brain. These
planes are commonly referred to as the transventricular and transthalamic planes (Figure 2). Imaging artifacts
may obscure the hemisphere closest to the transducer. A
third axial transcerebellar plane can be added to evaluate

Figure 2 Transverse views of the fetal head demonstrating standard transventricular (a), transthalamic (b) and transcerebellar (c) scanning
planes. The first two planes allow assessment of the anatomical integrity of the brain. The third permits evaluation of the cerebellum and
cisterna magna in the posterior fossa.

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Guidelines
the posterior fossa. The following brain structures should
be evaluated:
-

lateral ventricles (including choroid plexi);

cavum septi pellucidi;
midline falx;
thalami;
cerebellum;
cisterna magna.

Face
Minimum evaluation of the fetal face should include an
attempt to visualize the upper lip for possible cleft lip
anomaly43 (Figure 3a). If technically feasible, other facial
features that can be assessed include the median facial
profile (Figure 3b), orbits (Figure 3c), nose and nostrils.
Neck
The neck normally appears as cylindrical with no
protuberances, masses or fluid collections44 . Obvious neck
masses such as cystic hygromas or teratomas should be
documented.
Thorax
The shape should be regular with a smooth transition
to the abdomen45 . The ribs should have normal
curvature without deformities. Both lungs should appear
homogeneous and without evidence of mediastinal
shift or masses. The diaphragmatic interface can often
be visualized as a hypoechoic dividing line between
the thoracic and abdominal content (e.g. liver and
stomach)46,47 .

narrow field of view can help to maximize frame rates.

Images should be magnified until the heart fills at least a
third to half of the display screen.
Basic cardiac examination. The basic cardiac screening
examination is interpreted from a four-chamber view of
the fetal heart. A normal regular rate ranges from 120
to 160 beats per min. The heart should be located in the
left chest (same side as the fetal stomach) if the situs is
normal. A normal heart is usually no larger than one-third
of the area of the chest and is without pericardial effusion.
The heart is normally deviated by about 45 20 (2 SD)
towards the left side of the fetus49 .
Extended basic cardiac examination. An extended basic
cardiac evaluation, which includes the aortic and
pulmonary outflow tracts, can increase the detection rates
for major cardiac malformations above those achievable
by the four-chamber view alone. Views additional to
those of the basic examination are more likely to
identify conotruncal anomalies such as tetralogy of Fallot,
transposition of the great arteries, double outlet right
ventricle and truncus arteriosus. Normal great vessels
are approximately equal in size and should cross each
other as they exit from their respective ventricular
chambers.
Some investigators have described an optional threevessels and trachea view that may also be useful for
evaluating the pulmonary artery, ascending aorta and
right superior vena cava, in terms of their relative sizes
and anatomical relationships50 . For a more detailed
description of fetal cardiac screening, the reader is referred
to the ISUOG guidelines for the fetal cardiac examination.
This document can be downloaded from the Societys
website48 (http://www.isuog.org).
Abdomen

Heart
General considerations for cardiac examination. The
basic and extended basic cardiac ultrasonographic
examinations are designed to maximize the detection of
congenital heart disease during a second-trimester scan
(Figure 4)48 . A single acoustic focal zone and relatively

Abdominal organ situs should be determined51 . The fetal

stomach should be identified in its normal position on
the left side. Bowel should be contained within the
abdomen and the umbilical cord should insert into an
intact abdominal wall. Abnormal fluid collections of the
bowel (e.g. enteric cysts, obvious bowel dilatation) should

Figure 3 Ultrasound imaging of the fetal face. The mouth, lips and nose are typically evaluated in a coronal view (a). If technically feasible, a
median facial profile provides important diagnostic clues for cleft lip, frontal bossing, micrognathia and nasal bone anomalies (b). Both fetal
orbits should appear symmetrical and intact (c).

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan

Figure 4 Basic and extended basic views of the fetal heart. The basic cardiac scan is obtained from a four-chamber view (a) when both
ventricles are seen during end diastole (calipers). An extended basic scan of the great arteries demonstrates the left (b) and right (c)
ventricular outflow tracts. Separate arterial outflow tracts (calipers), approximately equal in size, exit their respective ventricles by crossing
over each other in normal fetuses.

Figure 5 Ultrasound imaging of the fetal cord insertion site, bladder with umbilical arteries, kidneys and spine. The umbilical cord insertion
site into the fetal abdomen (a, arrow) provides information about the presence of ventral wall defects such as omphalocele or gastroschisis.
The fetal bladder (b, *) and both kidneys (c, arrowheads) should be identified. Axial and longitudinal views of the spine provide effective
screening for spina bifida, especially when these scanning planes are abnormal in the presence of frontal skull deformation and an obliterated
cisterna magna (c,d).

be documented. Aside from the left-sided stomach, a fetal

gallbladder may be seen in the right upper quadrant next
to the liver, although this latter finding is not a minimum requirement of the basic scan. Any other cystic
structures seen in the abdomen should prompt referral for
a more detailed scan. The fetal umbilical cord insertion
(Figure 5a) site should be examined for evidence of a
ventral wall defect such as omphalocele or gastroschisis.

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cord vessels may also be counted using gray-scale imaging

as an optional component of the routine anatomical
survey.
Kidneys and bladder
The fetal bladder and both kidneys should be identified
(Figures 5b and 5c). If either bladder or renal pelves
appears enlarged, a measurement should be documented.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Guidelines

Figure 6 Sonography of the fetal upper extremities, lower extremities and placenta. The presence or absence of the upper and lower limbs
should be documented routinely unless they are poorly visualized due to technical factors (a, b). Placental position should be determined in
relation to the maternal cervix (c).

Persistent failure to visualize the bladder should prompt

referral for a more detailed assessment.
Spine
A satisfactory examination of the fetal spine requires
expertise and meticulous scanning, and the results are
heavily dependent upon fetal position (Figures 5c and 5d).
Complete evaluation of the fetal spine from every projection is not part of the basic examination, although
transverse and sagittal views are usually informative. The
most frequent of the severe spinal abnormalities, open
spina bifida, is usually associated with abnormal intracranial anatomy such as a characteristic cerebellar deformity
(banana sign) and obliterated cisterna magna. Other views
of the fetal spine may identify other spinal malformations,
including vertebral abnormalities and sacral agenesis19 .
Limbs and extremities
The presence or absence of both arms/hands (Figure 6a)
and both legs/feet (Figure 6b) should be documented using
a systematic approach52 . Counting fingers or toes is not
required as part of the routine mid-trimester scan.
Placenta
During ultrasonography, the placental location (Figure
6c), its relationship with the internal cervical os and its
appearance should be described. Examples of abnormal
placental findings include the presence of hemorrhage,
multiple cysts with triploidy and placental masses such
as chorioangioma. In most cases of the routine secondtrimester examination, transabdominal ultrasonography
permits clear definition of the relationship between
placenta and internal cervical os. If the lower placental
edge reaches or overlaps the internal os, a follow-up
examination in the third trimester is recommended53,54 .
Women with a history of uterine surgery and low
anterior placenta or placenta previa are at risk for
placental attachment disorders. In these cases, the placenta
should be examined for findings of accreta, the most
sensitive of which are the presence of multiple irregular
placental lacunae that show arterial or mixed flow55,56 .
Abnormal appearance of the uterine wallbladder wall
interface is quite specific for accreta, but is seen in few

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

cases. Loss of the echolucent space between an anterior

placenta and the uterine wall is neither a sensitive nor a
specific marker for placenta accreta. Although placenta
accreta may be suspected during a routine mid-trimester
scan, a more detailed evaluation is usually required to
further examine this possibility.
Genitalia
Characterization of external genitalia to determine fetal
gender is not considered mandatory in the context of a
mid-trimester routine scan. Reporting of gender should be
considered only with parental consent and in the context
of local practices.
Cervix, uterine morphology and adnexa
Several studies have demonstrated a strong correlation
between short cervical length on transvaginal scan and
subsequent preterm birth. However, several randomized controlled trials that examined the combination
of routine cervical length measurement and subsequent
interventions (cerclage, progesterone) failed to demonstrate conclusively any cost-effectiveness of such screening
programs57,58 . Currently, there is insufficient evidence to
recommend routine cervical length measurements at the
mid trimester in an unselected population59 .
Identification of women with short cervical length may
have significant benefits for research purposes and further
intervention studies, but this is not a justification for
routine cervical scanning. Such a universal screening
program would not only require significant resources and
quality assurance, but also cause potential disadvantages
by introducing anxiety and unnecessary intervention.
Uterine fibroids and adnexal masses should be
documented if they are likely to interfere with labor60 .

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
These guidelines were developed by the Prenatal
Ultrasound Screening Task Force under the auspices of the
ISUOG Clinical Standards Committee; Chair, Dr Wesley
Lee, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland
University William Beaumont School of Medicine,
Rochester, Michigan, USA
Appreciation is particularly extended to specialty consultants who contributed to this project:
Task Force Chair: Laurent J Salomon, MD, PhD
Hopital
Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Universite

Paris Descartes, Paris, France

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Zarko Alfirevic, MD
Division of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine,
University of Liverpool, Liverpool Womens Hospital,
Liverpool, UK
Vincenzo Berghella, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas
Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Caterina Bilardo, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic
Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Edgar Hernandez-Andrade, MD
Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, National
Institute of Perinatal Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
Synnove Lian Johnsen, MD
Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
Karim Kalache, MD
Department of Obstetrics, Charite University HospitalCampus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Wesley Lee, MD
Division of Fetal Imaging, William Beaumont Hospital,
Royal Oak, MI, USA
Kwok Yin Leung, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen
Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong, China
Gustavo Malinger, MD
Fetal Neurology Clinic, Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Wolfson Medical Center, Tel-Aviv
University, Israel
Hernan Munoz, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidad
de Chile, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
Federico Prefumo, MD, PhD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Ants Toi, MD
Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Medical Imaging,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Special appreciation to Jacques Abramowicz (USA), MD,
PhD, for his contribution to the Safety section and to
Jean-Philippe Bault (France), MD, for providing some of
the images.
Copies of this document are available at:
http://www.isuog.org
ISUOG Secretariat
Unit 4, Blythe Mews
Blythe Road
London W14 0HW, UK
e-mail: [email protected]

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).

Routine mid-trimester fetal ultrasound scan

Mid-Trimester Fetal Ultrasound Scan Report Form

Patient:

ID number:

Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):

Referring physician:
Date of exam (DD/MM/YYYY):
Sonographer / Supervisor:
Indication for scan and relevant clinical information:

SONOGRAPHIC
APPEARANCE OF FETAL
ANATOMY:
(N=Normal; Ab=Abnormal*;
NV=Not visualized)
Gray=optional

PLACENTA: Position:
Relation to cervical os:
Appearance

clear covering
mm from os
Normal
Abnormal*

AMNIOTIC FLUID:
FETAL MOVEMENT:

Normal
Normal

MEASUREMENTS

mm

Abnormal*
Abnormal*
Percentile (References)

Biparietal diameter
Head circumference
Abdominal
circumference
Femur diaphysis
length
Other:
Other:
Other:

*Abnormal findings (please detail):

CONCLUSION:
Normal and complete examination.
Normal but incomplete examination.
Abnormal examination*
Plans:
No further ultrasound scans required.
Follow up planned in .. weeks.
Referred to
Other:

Ab*

NV

Head
Shape
Cavum septi pellucidi
Midline falx
Thalami
Lateral ventricle
Cerebellum
Cisterna magna

Gestational age (W + D):

Based on: LMP / Previous US / Other :
Technical conditions: Good / Limited by:
Singleton / Multiple (use 1 sheet/fetus)
=> Chorionicity:

Face
Upper lip
Median profile
Orbits
Nose
Nostrils
Neck
Thorax
Shape
No masses
Heart
Heart activity
Size
Cardiac axis
Four-chamber view
Left ventricular outflow
Right ventricular outflow
Abdomen
Stomach
Bowel
Kidneys
Urinary bladder
Abdominal cord insertion
Cord vessels (optional)
Spine
Limbs
Right arm (incl. hand)
Right leg (incl. foot)
Left arm (incl. hand)
Left leg (incl. foot)
Gender (optional): M
F
Other :

Produced

Printed

Stored

No. of images

Copyright 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2010).