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A Novel Use of Three-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Characterization in the Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2017
Prenatal depiction of cystic hygroma using three-dimensional ultrasound
Lin Kang1, Chiung Hsin Chang, Chen Hsiang Yu
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound effectively detects fetal cystic hygroma, aiding prenatal diagnosis. This advanced imaging provides crucial 3-D visualizations for better consultation and understanding of the condition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Fetal cystic hygroma diagnosis is critical in clinical medicine.
- Accurate prenatal detection impacts management and outcomes.
- Traditional 2-D ultrasound has limitations in visualizing complex structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound in detecting fetal cystic hygroma.
- To compare the diagnostic capabilities of 2-D and 3-D ultrasound for this condition.
- To assess the added value of 3-D ultrasound in prenatal consultation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a database of prenatal diagnoses of cystic hygroma.
- Utilized high-resolution, real-time 2-D ultrasound followed by 3-D ultrasound.
- Analyzed 23 diagnosed cases between May 1995 and June 2000.
Main Results:
- All 23 cases of fetal cystic hygroma were diagnosed prenatally with 100% accuracy by both 2-D and 3-D ultrasound.
- Diagnosis occurred between 11 and 24 weeks of gestation, with 91% diagnosed before 21 weeks.
- Associated conditions included Turner syndrome (35%) and hydrops fetalis (43%).
- 3-D ultrasound provided superior, vivid 3-D illustrations, enhancing visualization beyond 2-D capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Both 2-D and 3-D ultrasound achieve 100% diagnostic accuracy for fetal cystic hygroma.
- 3-D ultrasound offers significant advantages by providing novel 3-D visual depictions after reconstruction.
- This enhanced visualization substantially assists in prenatal consultation and patient counseling.
Abstract:
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal cystic hygroma is very important in clinical medicine. In this series, we report our work of detecting cystic hygroma using three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound (US). We reviewed our computer database of prenatal diagnosis on cystic hygroma in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from May 1995 to June 2000. All the fetuses were initially scanned by a high-resolution, real-time, 2-D US scanner and subsequently by a 3-D US scanner. In total, 23 cases of fetal cystic hygroma were diagnosed in utero. The range of gestational age at prenatal diagnosis by US was between 11 and 24 weeks, and 91% were diagnosed before 21 weeks. Among them, 8 cases (35%) were Turner syndrome (45,X), and 10 cases (43%) were complicated with hydrops fetalis. Although the diagnostic rates by 2-D US and 3-D US were both 100% (23 of 23), notably, 3-D US can provide additional vivid illustrations in 3-D after various modes of reconstruction, but 2-D US cannot. In conclusion, 3-D US may add novel visual depiction of the lesion in 3-D after reconstruction and, thus, assists substantially in prenatal consultation.
