Quick and Easy Reference Keys in Obstetric Sonography

BackgroundQuick and easy reference keys (QERKs) are proposed for ultrasound practitioners and sonographers in order that technical errors in measurement can be corrected on screen; and if discrepancies are noted, then further targeted scanning can be carried out to exclude underlying fetal abnormalities.Materials and MethodsThe QERKs derived at our center were compared with standard data from various authors and were also correlated with our population in Pakistan. Our referral center performs scanning in 23,000 cases a year. These cases are referred to us from various hospitals and maternity homes. The scanners used for measuring various obstetric parameters were the Toshiba Nemio 17, 20 and 30, and the Toshiba Core Vision.ResultsWe derived the formulae and correlated these formulae with standardized charts used worldwide and applied them to our population for further checking. We found the formulae to be in confirmation with standard charts.ConclusionWe propose the use of these QERKs by ultrasound practitioners and sonographers. The verified adoption on nomogram of relevant obstetric measurements in different ethnic groups can be a difficult task. In addition, the introduction of such dedicated numbers to different ethnic groups to be used as a reference key is another challenge. We believe that the developed QERKs are quick and useful for first-line obstetricians who require ultrasound scanning in daily practice.