P02.06: The fetal cerebellar vermis: anatomy and biometry assessment using 4D volume contrast imaging in coronal plane (VCI‐C)

Transfrontal three‐dimensional visualization of midline cerebral structures

“…However, this scanning plane is particularly difficult to obtain, requiring skill, time and often transvaginal examination8. Hence, some recent studies have assessed the feasibility of 3D sonography for obtaining median views from volumes acquired from transabdominal axial planes, by either multiplanar analysis of static volumes or VCI‐C6–8. These studies demonstrated that 3D median planes were more easily obtained compared with 2D ones, providing a simple, rapid and effective approach for detailed evaluation of normal and abnormal cerebral anatomy.…”

“…Sagittal cerebral planes were reconstructed from axial planes by multiplanar analysis and by VCI‐C as described previously6, 8. For transfrontal 3D acquisition, in order to use the metopic suture as an acoustic window, the ultrasound beams were aligned with the frontal suture and a mid‐sagittal view of the fetal facial profile was obtained.…”

“…The sagittal planes were compared by measurement of the corpus callosum and the craniocaudal and anteroposterior diameters of the cerebellar vermis, and by visualization of the fourth ventricle and primary and secondary vermian fissures. Measurements were compared with published nomograms6, 8, 11. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated.…”

“…However, this technique requires some experience and is dependent on the skill of the operator5. Recently, the use of three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of sagittal views from volumes acquired from transabdominal axial planes, by either multiplanar analysis of static volumes or volume contrast imaging in the C‐plane (VCI‐C), have been proposed6–8. Although these approaches may be valuable for rapid and simple assessment of fetal brain anatomy, physical limitations suggest that further studies are needed before clinical decisions can be based on such 3D reconstructions9.…”

Diagnosis of midline anomalies of the fetal brain with the three-dimensional median view

“…Three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography is now widely available, one of the advantages of which lies in the possibility of obtaining a volume and ‘slicing’ it along directions different from the ones used to acquire it7. The use of 3D sonography for obtaining median views of the fetal brain has been previously described8. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of this approach in diagnosing normal and abnormal midline structures of the fetal brain.…”