Safe radiopaque media have enabled Philadelphia General Hospital clinicians to revive amniography for placental localization.
The technique, which involves injection of a water-soluble radiopaque medium into the amniotic fluid, has accurately diagnosed all cases of placenta previa in their series over the past two years, George T. Wohl, MD, told the American Roentgen Ray Society.
As the radiopaque medium disperses throughout the uterine fluid, it "outlines the placenta discretely and accurately," he said.
In addition to all placental localization problems, amniography also has proven excellent for determining fetal viability.
Technique Abandoned
Over 30 years have passed since amniography first was attempted, Dr. Wohl explained. However it was soon abandoned due to the now, obvious complications caused by the early contrast medium, strontium iodine, and other irritating media available in the 1930s.A number of water-soluble media now are available which are dispelled rapidly without risk to mother or fetus. The