Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31600412

Prenat Diagn. 2019 Oct 10. doi: 10.1002/pd.5560. [Epub ahead of print]
Variability in antenatal prognostication of diaphragmatic hernia across the North American Fetal Therapy Network.
Abbasi N1, Sanz Cortes M2, Ruano R3, Johnson A4, Morgan T5, Coleman B6, Baschat A7, Zaretsky M8, Lim FY9, Bulas D10, Benachi A11,12, Ryan G1; NAFTNet and the Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) consortium*.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate variability in antenatal sonographic prognostication of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) within the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet).

METHODS:
NAFTNet centres were invited to complete a questionnaire and participate in videoconference calls, during which participants were observed while measuring lung area using the anteroposterior (AP), longest and trace method. Each centre identified 1-2 experienced fetal medicine or medical imaging specialists locally. Practices were compared among NAFTNet centres within and without the fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) consortium.

RESULTS:
Nineteen participants from 9 FETO centres and 30 participants from 17 non-FETO centers completed the survey and 31 participants were observed. All centres measured observed-to-expected lung-to-head ratio (o/e LHR) or LHR for CDH prognostication. Image selection criteria for lung area measurement was consistent, including an axial section of the chest with clear lung borders and a 4-chamber cardiac view. Lung area measurement methods varied across NAFTNet, with most centers using longest (4/9 FETO vs. 13/29 non-FETO) or trace (3/9 FETO vs. 11/29 non-FETO). Centres differed in expected reference ranges for o/e LHR determination and whether the lowest, highest or average o/e LHR was used.

CONCLUSION:
Variability in antenatal sonographic prognostication of CDH was identified across NAFTNet, indicating a need for consensus-based standardization.

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PMID: 31600412 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5560