This book discusses salient aspects of sonography as it is currently employed in obstetrics. Each chapter was prepared by an individual author. In addition, there are several case studies which illustrate individual applications of obstetric sonography. In general the text makes an excellent guide for the physician, enabling him t o adequately utilize sonography in the practice of obstetrics.
The first chapter introduces instrumentation and will assist the physician in evaluating what he can expect from various manufacturers' scanners. Two chapters discuss the use of ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy and in defining gestational use. Undue emphasis is placed on growth-adjusted sonographic age, and the presentation may confuse some readers. Subsequent chapters address the sonographic findings of the placenta, normal and abnormal fetal anatomy, and fetal growth and growth retardation. All are well prepared and provide information of importance in these areas. Excellent sonograms and diagrams that adequately illustrate specific aspects accompany these chapters.
The chapter on the use of portable real-time scanners in physicians' offices and on the delivery floor is particularly helpful since it informs the physician who is contemplating the acquisition of a real-time scanner about some of the problems he might encounter. The chapter on fetal breathing provides direction of what the future may hold. It succinctly summarizes research experience and attempts to relate it to present methods of evaluating fetal health in utero. The final chapter discusses special clinical procedures (i.e., amniocentesis and intrauterine transfusion), that involve the use of ultrasound.
Any publication on the subject of obstetric ultrasound will have deficiencies because of the rapid advances in knowledge and application. The incompetent cervix is not discussed, nor is there any mention of "false diagnosis" of early twin pregnancy. In some instances, undue emphasis is placed on ultrasound for diagnosis to the exclusion of established clinical procedures. Ample illustrations and charts accompany the text. The book provides a large volume of information condensed into a relatively concise form, and its style of presentation allows for easy reading. The book should be a useful guide for those physicians practicing obstetrics, but who are not actively engaged in sonography.