Assessment of embryo/fetus during pregnancy by threedimensional ultrasonography using the HD live software: iconographic essay

Abstract

Fetal development is studied since the advent of two-dimensional ultrasonography. However, a detailed assessment of structures and surfaces improved with three-dimensional ultrasonography. Currently, it is possible to identify embryonic components and fetal parts with greater detail, at all pregnancy trimesters, using the HD live software, where the images gain realistic features by means of appropriate control of lighting and shadowing effects. In the present study, the authors utilized this resource to follow-up, by means of images, the development of a normal pregnancy along all trimesters.

Realistic Vue: a new three-dimensional surface rendering approach for the in utero visualization of embryos and fetuses

“…In a previous pictorial essay, Araujo Júnior et al ( 5 ) described normal embryos/fetuses using the HDlive software (GE Healthcare, Zipf, Austria) with demonstrated realistic surface rendering images similar to those obtained with the Realistic Vue application in the present study. According to Hata et al.…”

“…By controlling luminosity and shading, Realistic Vue makes the intrauterine environment appear more real. In fact, there are growing numbers of studies that show the effective application of realistic 3D ultrasound tools ( 4 , 5 ) . Early fetal development, morphology, abnormalities, and even behavior can be clearly observed with these new techniques ( 6 , 7 ) .…”

Aplicação da tecnologia tridimensional no ensino de obstetrícia e medicina fetal

“…Entretanto, em práticas acadêmicas, é nítida a precariedade no preparo dos estudantes para tal aferição que, na maioria das vezes, fica restrita ao campo intuitivo, gerando, assim, constrangimentos e iatrogenias; além de concentrar grande fluxo de pacientes em especialistas, sem a devida indicação. Um recurso viável para aperfeiçoamento da técnica seria o manuseio de diagramas construídos facilmente, e a baixo custo, por impressoras 3D; os quais permitem a manipulação e percepção apurada da dilatação (Araujo et al, 2015).…”

Three-dimensional ultrasound in fetal medicine after 25 years in clinical practice: many advances and some questions

“…Since then, various applications of 3D-US in fetal medicine have been described, such as the evaluation of fetal malformations (3) , volumetric assessment of fetal organs (4) , cardiac assessment (5) , evaluation of the central nervous system (6) , and the use of power Doppler (7) . More recently, new software, such as HDlive, allow a realistic vision of the face and surfaces of the fetus (8) . The main advantages of 3D-US would be the following: evaluation of a fetal structure simultaneously in the three orthogonal planes; fetal assessment in the absence of the mother; less reliance on operator skills; and the possibility of sending three-dimensional volumes for analysis at tertiary care centers (9) .…”