July 24, 2009

Embryonic Demise

Figure 1: Transvaginal ultrasound shows a mean sac diameter of 30 mm (about 8 weeks gestational age). S = gestational sac.
Figure 2: Further scan demonstrates a fetal pole (arrow) without a yolk sac. There is minimal decidual reaction.

Embryonic Demise
  • Most common cause = chromosomal abnormality leading to arrested development
  • Diagnosis is made by:
  1. CRL > 5 mm but no cardiac activity
  2. MSD >/= 8 mm but no yolk sac
  3. MSD >/= 16 mm but no embryo
  4. Embryo seen but no yolk sac
  5. No cardiac activity in embryo seen by transabdominal ultrasound (need to confirm with transvaginal ultrasound if early IUP)

Reference:
Weissleder, Wittenberg, Harisinghani, Chen. Primer of diagnostic imaging. 4th edition, 2007

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