Combined use of ultrasound and computed tomography in the evaluation of fetal intracranial abnormality.

Antenatal ultrasonic findings in two pregnancies with fetal intracranial abnormality were completed by taking a restricted number of computed tomography (CT) scans under ultrasonic control. General information achieved by CT was not greater compared with ultrasonography. CT demonstrated better than ultrasound the calcified areas in the intracranial teratoma of the fetus. In the case of fetal hydrocephaly the existence of a dilated, but otherwise intact cerebral ventricular system was established by CT after a somewhat controversial ultrasonic finding. CT can be used as a complementary examination when there are specific problems to be evaluated after antenatal ultrasonic scanning. CT should be used in these cases under ultrasonic control and the information of the both methods must be combined for the clinical decisions.