Can a patient obtain ultrasound pictures from a level 2 (fetal anatomy) scan?

Can Patients Obtain Ultrasound Pictures from a Level 2 Scan?

Yes, patients can and should be able to obtain ultrasound pictures from their Level 2 (fetal anatomy) scan, as these images are part of their medical record and can be valuable for patient education, counseling, and documentation purposes.

Medical Record and Patient Rights

• Ultrasound images generated during a Level 2 scan are part of the patient's medical record and patients have a legal right to access their medical records, including imaging studies 1.
• The images serve important functions beyond immediate clinical diagnosis, including patient education and facilitating understanding of fetal anatomy or any detected abnormalities 2.

Clinical Context of Level 2 Scans

• Level 2 ultrasound provides comprehensive fetal structural evaluation with the primary purpose of detecting congenital abnormalities, typically performed at 18-20 weeks gestation 1.
• These scans detect major structural abnormalities including neural tube defects, cardiac anomalies, abdominal wall defects, and skeletal dysplasias, with a detection rate of 78.8% of major defects in the second trimester 1.
• The detailed anatomical examination performed during Level 2 scans generates multiple images that document fetal structures systematically 3, 1.

Value of Images for Patient Counseling

• Rendered images from ultrasound examinations help parents understand the severity of an existing malformation or, conversely, provide reassurance about the absence of fetal abnormalities 2.
• This is particularly useful in cases with an increased recurrence risk of a specific fetal malformation, where visual documentation aids in understanding and decision-making 2.
• Three-dimensional imaging enables more detailed visualization of fetal anatomy and can demonstrate both normal and abnormal anatomy in controlled planes from different angles 2.

Practical Considerations

• The facility performing the ultrasound should have policies in place for providing copies of images to patients, whether as printed photographs, digital files, or through patient portal access 3.
• Images provided to patients should be accompanied by appropriate interpretation and counseling from qualified healthcare providers to ensure proper understanding 3.
• The provision of images does not replace the need for formal written reports and appropriate follow-up care 3.

Important Caveats

• While patients can obtain pictures, the interpretation of these images should always be done by qualified healthcare professionals, as patient self-interpretation may lead to misunderstanding 3.
• Images alone do not constitute complete medical documentation—formal reports with measurements and interpretations remain essential for medical decision-making 3.
• In cases where abnormalities are detected, images should be provided in the context of comprehensive genetic counseling and discussion of next steps 3, 4.