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The most widely used procedure for estimation of the gestational age (EGA) is by fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) measurement. This is usually accomplished by measuring the BPD and using one of the many available charts. There are slight discrepancies among charts from different institutions, which are mostly due to biologic variations in fetal growth rate, inherent technical errors in measurement, and variation in the anatomic plane of the BPD that has been used. The estimation of the fetal age from known BPD by using these charts is not difficult. However, sometimes they are misplaced or not readily available. I present two equations that can be used for estimating gestational age. MATERIALS AND METHODSFour of the most recently used charts for prediction of menstrual age based upon BPD1-4 were studied. Two of these chartsi,2 are composites of many other charts. The average weekly increase of BPD from 14 to 30 weeks of gestation in the Sabbagha and Hughey chart 1 was 3.13 mm, in the chart of Kurtz et al.2 3.06 mm, in the chart of Hadlock et al.33.0 mm, in the Shepard and Filly chart4 2.81 mm. This was obtained by dividing the total increases in BPD from 14 to 30 weeks of gestation by 16 weeks (which represents the interval between 14 and 30 weeks). The average of the above four weekly increases in BPD is 3 mm. Similar measurements from 30 to 40 weeks of gestation reveal an average BPD increase of 2 mm/week. Study of the graph correlating the BPD and the gestational age shows a positive linear relationship. After approximately 30 weeks of gestation, this linear relationship continues at the decreased rate. By review of the above charts and graph one can conclude the following: 1. At 14 weeks of gestation, the BPD is approximately 27 mm. 2. From 14 to 30 weeks of gestation, the BPD increases approximately 3 mm/week. 3. At 30 weeks of gestation, the BPD measures approximately 75 mm.4. From 30 weeks to 40 weeks of gestation, the BPD increases approximately 2 mm/week. Because the above points are simply a numerical definition of existing data and not a matter of controversy, one can derive two relatively simple equations for the estimation of fetal age from a known BPD. One equation is for the BPD which is less than 75 mm, and the other for the BPD which measures over 75 mm.

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Sonography of the pelvis is widely used for the diagnosis of masses in both females and males. Cystic and solid masses can easily be differentiated by ultrasound. Cystic lesions in the pelvis are related to the genitourinary system or the gastrointestinal tract. In the past 30 years, erectile impotence has been treated with inflatable penile prostheses. The following two case reports are of the sonographic appearance of a cystic collection in the pelvis that in fact was the reservoir of an inflatable penile prosthesis. CASE REPORT 1A 44-year-old white male with a past medical history of insulin-dependent diabetes and hypertension presented with a l-week history of increasing right costovertebral angle tenderness radiating to the right lower quadrant and pelvis. The patient also had low-grade fever. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 4-cm hypoechoic mass with good sound transmission located anterior and lateral to the right side of the urinary bladder (Fig. 1). The mass was not communicating with the bladder. The differential diagnosis that was entertained at the time of the examination was a bladder diverticulum or a mass of inflammatory etiology such as an appendiceal abscess or a diverticular abscess. On further questioning of the patient, it was learned that the patient had an inflatable penile prosthesis. A plain film of the abdomen (Fig. 2) confirmed the presence of the prosthesis and the reservoir in the right hemipelvis, which gave the sonographic appearance of a cystic mass. CASE REPORT 2A 55-year-old Hispanic male with a history of laminectomy had an abdominal ultrasound examination because of right upper quadrant pain and right lower quadrant discomfort.This study showed gallstones. Also noted was a cystic mass in the right side of the pelvis that measured 4.5 cm x 3 cm (Fig. 3). The mass was not communicating with the bladder and did not change with voiding. The patient had had implantation of a penile prosthesis for erectile impotence. Being familiar with the cystic appearance of a penile reservoir, we were confident that the cystic mass in this patient represented the reservoir, and this was confirmed by pelvic x-ray. DISCUSSIONErectile impotence is a common complaint of men with diabetes mellitus, postoperatively following prostatic or urethral surgery, and in cases of spinal injuries. In the past 30 years the use of the inflatable penile prosthesis to treat erectile impotence has become an established method of treatment. In 1973, Scott and co-workers' developed a penile prosthesis that could be inflated and deflated. The prosthesis consisted of two hollow silicone cylinders connected to a pump, which in turn was connected to a reservoir (Fig. 4). The reservoir is implanted into the rectus muscle in the perivesical space. It is filled with radiographic contrast medium. The patient activates the prosthesis by squeezing the pump, which is implanted in the scrotum, forcing fluid into the silicone cylinders. Evaluation of the prosthesis can be made with abdominal radiography.2...