ECHOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF FETAL ADRENAL GLAND IN PHYSIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

Purpose: To study echographic anatomy of fetal adrenal gland in physiological development.

Methods and Materials: The echographic examination of 243 women with physiological pregnancy in terms of 28–40 weeks was carried out. The examination of adrenal gland included size (length, transverse and anterior-posterior diameters) and of parenchyma structure assessment.

Results: The methodology of fetus adrenal gland size and parenchyma structure assessment was proposed. The ultrasound adrenal gland structure analysis has allowed establishing, that the cortical layer during fetus antenatal development is hypoechogenic and the medulla is echogenic of moderate intensity. The medulla was found in 100% of cases starting from 26-th week of gestation age. The size of adrenal gland increased progressively and directly correlated with gestation age. The sizes of right/left adrenal glands (mm) received in terms of 20–22/38–40 weeks were: length –13.8±1.33/13.4±1.28 and 25.98±2.88/25.74±2.53 (p<0.05); transverse –5.9±0.74/6,3±0.86 and 12.38±2.27/12.2±2.47 (p<0.05); anterior-posterior 5.2±0.76/5.2±0.73 and 12.62±2.02/12.71±1.98 (p<0.05); medulla (transverse) –1.5±0.02; 1.5±0.02 and 5.86±0.72; 5.99±0.86 (p<0.01). Size difference between right and left adrenal glands was not found. The fetus right/left kidney/adrenal gland volume (mm cub) ratios in terms of 20–22 and 38–40 weeks were: 2541,9±490,1/204,8±72,46 (p<0,001) and 15785,7±2699,43/2171,36±773,37 (p<0,001).

Conclusions: The size of fetus adrenal glands enlarged correspondingly to gestation age and kidneys size. Size difference between the fetus right and left adrenal gland was not found. It was possible to find the medulla in 100% of cases starting from 26 weeks of gestation age.