Needle embryofetoscopy and early prenatal diagnosis.

Needle embroyfetoscopy (NEF) permits direct visualization of the embryo/fetus with a specially designed 16-gauge double-barrel instrument sheath which is passed transabdominally into the amniotic cavity. We report the case of a woman with a MSAFP of 2.5 MOM who had declined amniocentesis. A targeted ultrasound examination of the spine revealed what appeared to be spina bifida in the lumbar sacral segments from L2 to S1. The mother elected to undergo NEF at 15 weeks gestation, which was successfully performed and revealed no evidence of a neural tube defect. NEF has a tremendous potential for both early prenatal diagnosis, and possibly fetal treatment.