A Prospective Study To Assess The Clinical Impact of Interobserver Reliability of Sonographic Fetal Nuchal Translucency and Crown-Rump Length on Combined First-Trimester Screening

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To examine the interobserver variability for fetal biometric parameters and to focus on how this variability affects the combined first-trimester screening test results.METHODS:Sixty-four singleton pregnancies who were scheduled for combined first-trimester screening were investigated. Two experienced sonographers performed all examinations at the same visit. The risk calculations of screening were performed according to the each operator’s individual ultrasonographic fetal measurements. Interobserver variability in measurements of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) and crown-rump length (CRL) and the effect of this interobserver variability on the screening results were assessed.RESULTS:Interobserver reliabilities for NT and CRL were 0.687 and 0.945 (p<0.001), respectively. Interobserver reliability coefficients for trisomy 21 and trisomy 13/18 were 0.945 and 0.963 (p<0.001), respectively.CONCLUSION:Our study demonstrated quite high interobserver reliability for CRL measurement, while interobserver agreement for NT was lower. Despite this lower reliability and agreement for NT measurement, interobserver reliability for chromosomal abnormalities was quite high.

Transcerebellar Diameter: an effective tool in estimating gestational age

“…Therefore, USG gives the more precise data on gestational age estimation and is considered as the gold standard 21 . Gestational age is calculated by scan with crown-rump length (CRL) or biparietal diameter (BPD) 22 . Disagreement still exists about the measurement of choice and the optimal gestational age for estimation 23 .…”

Nuchal translucency measurement: who is right, who is not?

“…Aksoy et al compared only obstetricians and radiologists in their study and found low interobserver reliability of NT measurement. [11] NT measurement performance depends on sonographer. Among our results who were previously trained for perinatology, median NT value and NT distribution were higher, suggesting that experience does matter.…”