J Korean Radiol Soc.  1982 Jun;18(2):395-400. 10.3348/jkrs.1982.18.2.395.

Plain abdominal findings of intrauterine fetal death

• Ahn KS
• Lee NJ
• Chung KB
• Suh WH

• KMID: 2463323
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1982.18.2.395

Abstract

A radiologic study of plain abdomen including lateral view is an useful and simple method to confirm the clinical impression of intrauterine fetal death(IUFD) with a minimum patient discomfort and maximum diagnostic information. Authors analysed here the radiological findings of plain abdomen on 31 cases of IUFD which were diagnosed at the Korea University Hospital from Jan. 1976 to Dec. 1980. The summarized results are as follow; 1. Most frequent IUFD is noted in 31 to 35 weeks of gestational age (9 cases), and the next are 26 to 30 weeks (8 cases), 36 to 40 weeks (6 cases), over 40 weeks (5 cases) and 21 to 25 weeks (3 cases). 2. Most common radiological findings are Spanlding's sign (13 cases) and hyperflexion of the spine (13 cases) and other significatn radiological findings are halo sign (8 cases) and intrafetal gas (4 cases). 3. In 25 cases (80.6%), there are more than one radiological abnormalities in plain abdomen, but six cases have no any radiological abnormality. 4. When IUFD is suspected clinically, the plain abdomen film is one of the simple and accurate radiological study.