Second trimester fetal neurosonography: reconstructing cerebral midline anatomy and anomalies using a novel three-dimensional ultrasound technique (original) (raw)

The use of modern ultrasound tridimensional techniques for the evaluation of fetal cerebral midline structures- a practical approach

Medical ultrasonography, 2015

Fetal central nervous system midline structures represent an essential landmark for the confirmation of normality or for the identification of severe pathology. The ultrasound examination of the fetal brain using modern 3D techniques allows the creation of high sensitivity reconstructions. The facility of 3D volume acquisition permits the identification of corpus callosum, median septum, cavum septi pellucid and cerebellar vermis even in difficult cases. The examination should rely on both static (3D) and dynamic acquisition (4D). The use of a practical ultrasound protocol in clinical settings ensures the visualization of the midline cerebral structures in the vast majorities of fetuses. In selected cases MRI can be performed.

Comparative Study between the Role of Two dimensional and Three dimensional Ultrasound in Assessment of Fetal Central Nervous System Congenital Anomalies

2021

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, AlAzhar University, Cairo, Egypt. ABSTRACT Background: Three dimensional ultrasound (3D US) has become the new standard in prenatal diagnosis of fetal congenital anomalies. This technique enables detailed examination of the fetal anatomy and higher quality depiction of congenital anomalies. Furthermore, four dimensional ultrasound (4D US) enables visualization of more details regarding the dynamics of small anatomical structures. Using the advantages of this technology, a physiologic pattern of embryonic or fetal motor development was made. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of three dimensional (3D) ultrasound compared with two dimensional (2D) ultrasound in diagnosis of fetal central nervous system congenital malformations. Patients and Methods: This Prospective study was performed on total 100 patients with gestational age from 18 weeks to 24 weeks who underwent 2D ultrasound then examined by 3D ultrasound ...

Clinical application of three-dimensional ultrasound in fetal brain assessment

Croatian medical journal, 2000

To clarify the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in the assessment of the fetal head and brain, according to 3D ultrasound surface reconstruction, multiplanar image analysis, three-dimensional angiography, and volume calculation. We examined 326 normal fetuses between 10 and 40 weeks of gestation using 3D ultrasound (Voluson, 530D, Medison, Seoul, Korea), mainly with transvaginal 3D transducer. Fetal head structures, such as the skull, brain structure, and brain circulation, were presented by surface mode, multiplanar imaging mode, and three-dimensional Doppler mode. After automatic volume acquisition of the fetal head, image analyses were performed off-line, and 3D View software was used for volume imaging of the lateral ventricle and choroid plexus in randomly selected 30 normal fetuses. Seven fetuses with intracranial abnormalities were evaluated by 3D ultrasound functions. Surface mode of 3D ultrasound objectively depicted in vivo development of the cranial bones a...

Fetal neuroimaging by transvaginal 3D ultrasound and MRI

The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2006

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is one of the most attractive modality in the field of fetal ultrasound imaging. In multiplanar imaging of the brain structure, it is possible to demonstrate not only the sagittal and coronal sections but also the axial section of the brain, which cannot be demonstrated from parietal direction by a conventional 2D transvaginal sonography. Parallel slicing provides a tomographic visualization of internal morphology similar to MR imaging. Fetal neuroimaging with advanced 3D ultrasound technology is easy, noninvasive and reproducible methods. It produces not only comprehensible images but also objective imaging data. It has been controversial whether ultrasound or MRI is more practical and effective in prenatal assessment of fetal CNS abnormalities. In the assessment of enlarged ventricles, no significant difference between dedicated neurosonography and MRI in detection of intracranial structure. However, MRI is superior to ultrasound in evaluation of the brainstem, posterior fossa and cortical development especially in the late pregnancy. Meanwhile, transvaginal high-frequent 3D ultrasound has superiority to MRI in detection of intracranial calcification, vascular anatomy, intratumoral vascularity, bony structure. For CNS anomaly screening scan, ultrasound is no doubt the first modality, and once CNS abnormality is suspicious, after considering each advantage and disadvantage of transvaginal 3D ultrasound and MRI, it is suggested to use those different technologies according to what to be detected and evaluated in each abnormal CNS case. Of course, those two technologies should be utilized as alternatives and complementaries as well. In terms of fetal neurological function analysis, four-dimensional ultrasound research on fetal behavior have been launched in multicenters, and it will be greatly expected to elucidate relations between antenatal behavior and postnatal neurological prognosis.

The Utilization of 3D and 4D Technology in Fetal Neurosonology

Ultrasound Clinics, 2008

This article discusses the clinical use of three-dimensional (3D) technology while performing a fetal neuroscan. Before reading this article, one should first be familiar with the technical aspects of performing this type of fetal study. For complete details and comprehensive discussion of the advantages of 3D technique as well as technical aspects of obtaining quality volume data and subsequently displaying quality images, the reader is referred to ''3D and 4D Fetal Neuroscan: Sharing the Know-how and Tricks of the Trade'' by Bornstein and colleagues in this issue of the Clinics.

Interobserver reproducibility of transabdominal 3-dimensional sonography of the fetal brain

2009

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the interobserver reproducibility of transabdominal 3-dimensional (3D) fetal neurosonography. Methods. This was a prospective observational study. We studied 23 consecutive singleton pregnancies between 18 and 23 weeks' gestation. All cases had normal fetal neurosonographic examination findings, which were confirmed after birth. A 3D sonographic volume of the fetal head was acquired transabdominally by a single operator using an axial approach. Fetal brain anatomy was later analyzed offline by 2 different operators. Axial, sagittal, and coronal views of the fetal brain were obtained to perform a detailed evaluation of the fetal brain. Each operator defined the scanning planes obtained as adequate or inadequate. Results were evaluated with 2 × 2 tables and the Cohen κ coefficient to assess interobserver agreement. Results. Good-quality multiplanar images were obtained in 23 of 23 cases. The rate of adequate visualization was 100% for all of the axial planes, with κ values of 1.00. For sagittal and coronal planes, the rate of visualization ranged between 78% and 91%, with κ values ranging between 0.61 and 0.83. Conclusions. Transabdominal 3D sonography of the fetal brain at 18 to 23 weeks' gestation has an acceptable degree of interobserver reproducibility.

An introduction to fetal neurosonography using three-dimensional ultrasound

Transabdominal 2D ultrasound based on axial planes has, so far, been the standard approach for the imaging of fetal central nervous system abnormalities. In recent years three-dimensional ultrasound has shown to be a potentially useful tool both in basic and detailed examination of the fetal brain. The aim of this paper is to describe the possible applications of this technique.