Current 3D/4D ultrasound technology in prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

3D/4D ultrasound technology has currently reached a stage where it can easily be used in daily routine examinations. In contrast to conventional 2D ultrasound, which only presents the foetus in a 2D perspective, the different 3D modes provide us with images that can never be achieved with 2D ultrasound and give the physician the opportunity to identify normal and abnormal foetal anatomy in the most appropriate mode. 4D ultrasound with fast volume acquisition not only offers the detection of normal and abnormal foetal movements, but, using STIC-Colour, also the observation and examination of the foetal heart in motion. Concerning counselling of patients, rendered images help parents understand the severity of an existing malformation or believe the absence of foetal abnormality, particularly in cases with increased recurrence risk. Digital storage of volumes (not only of 2D images) provides many advantages: (1) the volumes can be reloaded to fully scrutinize equivocal findings in the absence of the patient, and (2) with knowledge of their content, they can be used for educational purposes. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the power and current display facilities of 3D/4D, particularly to those physicians not performing such examinations on a regular basis.

3D/4D Ultrasound in Prenatal Diagnosis

“…8 In many cases the confidence in the 3D/4D Ultrasound in Prenatal Diagnosis-Is it Time diagnosis is vastly increased by the visualization of the defect in various planes. With the interactive display of 3D images, the examiner can demonstrate all types of visible abnormalities in the most appropriate mode, showing the extent of the lesion in all dimensions 3 (Figs. 1-4).…”

“…Many highly experienced operators in 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasound were skeptical about the necessity for this ''new technology.'' Typical questions raised were 3 : Is 3D ultrasound more useful in prenatal diagnosis? Does it improve diagnostic accuracy, or is it only good for ''keepsake'' images?…”

“…Nevertheless, the perfect application of 3D US requires spatial understanding of the viewer and a learning curve of some weeks. As the 3D/4D US technology is based on 2D US, high-quality 3D/4D images require good-quality 2D images 3 (for a short review of the technology involved with 3D/4D US, see appendix).…”

Artifact removal and texture-based rendering for visualization of 3D fetal ultrasound images

“…Owing to its safety, ease of use, and low cost, the sonogram has become one of the most popular imaging tools in clinical settings, particularly for obstetric diagnosis. In clinics, fetal development is monitored and evaluated according to observations made by sonograms; 3D and/or 4D ultrasound systems are commonly used to provide additional spatial and temporal information [17,18,29]. However, the coherent nature of phase array ultrasonic technology generates constructive and destructive interference effects from backscattered echoes, producing a type of noise called speckle, or mottle, which distributes over the whole image and degrades image quality.…”

The Potential Use of the Fetal Observable Movement System in Clinical Practice

“…Additionally, it helps with counseling parents not only of fetal malformations but also to reassure them that the fetus is developing normally. 3 The surface mode rendering of 3D/4D is especially relevant in this context. However, visualization is not enough in order to make the technique useful in clinical practice rather the images need to be coded and compared across laboratories.…”