Table 3.
Details of index test for studies included for systematic review
| Author, year | Ultrasound machine | Ultrasound transducers/ probes | Imaging time (min) | Patient preparation | Ultrasound operator, experience | No. operators | Blinded to clinical history | Time between delivery to imaging | Diagnostic accuracy subgroup measures |
| Prodhomme et al, 201510 | Phlips iU22 | 5–8 MHz microconvex 5–12 MHz linear 5–17 MHz linear |
Not stated | No additional preparation over cold storage of body | Paediatric radiologist, >10 years of experience | Single | No | Not stated | Agreement with final autopsy diagnosis. List of diagnoses given |
| Tuchtan et al, 201819 | Toshiba Aplio 500; Supersonic Aixplorer; GE Voluson E8 |
Toshiba: 7–10 MHz curved 10–15 MHz linear Supersonic: 6–10 MHz curved 11–15 MHz linear GE: 5–10 MHz curved 10–14 MHz linear |
20 | No additional preparation over cold storage of body | Paediatric Radiologist, 15 years ultrasound and 8 years post-mortem imaging experience | Single | Yes | Not stated | Anatomical structures were divided into seven categories: brain, spine, lung, heart, skeletal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary. Overall and individual body organ accuracy rates given |
| Votino et al, 201820 | GE Voluson E8 | 6–18 MHz linear, 6–12 MHz curved, 5–9 MHz curved |
15 | Fetuses either fixed in formalin (>15 weeks gestation), otherwise no additional preparation. | Fetal medicine doctor, 10 years of ultrasound experience | Single | No | Median time 2 days (1 hour–4 days) | Diagnoses categorised into three body systems: neurological (brain/spine), thorax (including heart) and abdomen. Individual body system accuracy rates given |
| Kang et al, 201917 | GE Voluson E8; GE LOGIQ E9; Samsung HM70A |
GE Voluson: 6–18 MHz linear 6–12 MHz curved 5–9 MHz curved GE Logiq: 2.5–8 MHz linear 1–5 MHz curved Samsung: 7–16 MHz linear |
Not stated | No additional preparation over cold storage of body | Fetal medicine doctor or paediatric radiologist (>5 years experience each) | Two (one from each centre) |
Yes | Median time 2 days (0–39 days) | 19 internal organs assessed and grouped into four anatomic regions for analysis: neurological (brain/spine), thorax, heart and abdomen. Overall and individual body system accuracy rates given |