X-ray Pelvimetry And Labour Outcome In Term Pregnancy In A Rural Nigerian Population

Background: X -ray pelvimetry is a radiological investigation that involves the measurement of different anthropometric dimensions of the pelvis. The pelvic inlet and outlet play important role in labour outcome. The query as to whether x-ray pelvimetry has a useful predictive value regarding labour outcome prompted this study.Objectives: To determine whether the use of X-ray pelvimetry is still relevant in term pregnancy, and its reliability in predicting labour outcome.Method: This was a retrospective study of pregnant patients who had X -ray pelvimetry at term and successfully delivered at a rural community based mission maternity hospital between 2005-2008. Each x- ray pelvimetry report was matched with the mode of delivery of the patient. 150 patients who were found suitable had data such as age, mode of delivery, etc, extracted.Results: In a review of 150 X -ray pelvimetry films, 119 (79.33%) were categorised as adequate pelvis, 10 (6.67%) borderline pelvis and 21 (14%) inadequate pelvis respectively based on the conclusions of the radiologist. Out of the 21 patients with inadequate pelvis, 14 (67%) had normal delivery and 7 (33%) had caesarean section. For the 10 patients with borderline pelvis, 7 (67%) had normal delivery and 3 (33%) had caesarean section.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that X-ray pelvimetry may not be accurate but has fair predictive value on mode of delivery in term pregnancy.Keywords: X-ray pelvimetry, mode of delivery, term pregnancy, rural Nigerian population