Study of Yolk Sac Abnormalities in the First Trimester Using Ultrasonography

Abstract

This study was conducted in Khartoum state Sudan, in the ultrasound departments of khartoum north teaching hospital, Alskeikh Mohammed Ali Fadol and new omdurman hospital. The problem of the study was difficulty of sonographic detection of yolk sac abnormalities, and lack of interest for evaluation by sonographer and sonologist. The aim of the study was to estimate the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of yolk sac abnormalities, the complication associated with it, and the usefulness in prediction of pregnancy outcome. This was observational analytical study carried out during the period from January to July 2014. The data was collected from 100 pregnant women during first trimester of pregnancy, classified and analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social science). The analysis of the results showed that all yolk sac abnormalities were diagnosed by ultrasound with absence yolk sac (46%), large yolk sac (29%), irregular yolk sac, (6%) Small yolk sac (5%), calcified yolk sac (13%), echogenic yolk sac (1%), and there was no patients with persistent yolk sac. The complications were bighted ovum (46%) and missed miscarriage (37%). Which affect middle aged women (20 – 30 years) (52%), multigravid (60%), paraII (31%), with no history of chronic disease (95%), and can be detected by transabdominal (41%) or endovaginal probe (59%) with transvaginal technique was more accurate.The most yolk sac abnormalities associated with complication were absence, large, and irregular yolk sac which predict poor pregnancy outcome. Other Small, calcified, echogenic, and persistent yolk sac abnormalities cannot predict poor pregnancy outcome and most commonly associated with normal pregnancy.The study recommended that all pregnant women during first trimester of pregnancy should do obstetric ultrasound and yolk sac should be evaluated carefully for any abnormalities.