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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Three-dimensional sonographic evaluations of embryonic brain development
Mi Suk Kim1, Philippe Jeanty, Cheryl Turner
1Inner Vision Women's Ultrasound, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. misuksmile@gmail.com
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) sonography enables in vivo evaluation of early fetal brain ventricular development. This technique provides a crucial reference for diagnosing central nervous system anomalies in the first trimester.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Medicine
- Neurosonography
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Early diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies is critical for timely intervention.
- Standard 2D sonography has limitations in fully assessing complex fetal brain structures.
- Three-dimensional (3D) sonography offers advanced visualization capabilities for fetal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the 3D development of fetal brain ventricles from 6 to 13 weeks of gestation.
- To establish a reference for the early diagnosis of CNS anomalies, including hydrocephalus and holoprosencephaly.
- To showcase the utility of 3D sonography in visualizing early embryonic brain structures.
Main Methods:
- 46 patients underwent routine first-trimester 2D and 3D sonographic examinations.
- Utilized Voluson 730 Expert or Voluson E8 ultrasound scanners with transvaginal probes (4-8 MHz or 6-12 MHz).
- GE 4DView software with MagicCut function was employed for volume analysis and ventricular dissection.
Main Results:
- Successfully dissected 34 volumes from fetuses between 7 and 12 complete gestational weeks.
- Optimal dissection was not achieved before 7 or after 12 weeks.
- Representative images illustrate normal ventricular development, with comparative images of ventriculomegaly and holoprosencephaly provided.
Conclusions:
- 3D sonography is effective for in vivo evaluation of early fetal brain ventricular structures.
- This study provides a valuable timeline and reference images for assessing early brain development.
- The technique aids in the identification of potential developmental anomalies during the first trimester.
Objective:
The purpose of this presentation is to show 3-dimensional development of the ventricles of the brain in early pregnancy, from 6 to 13 weeks, and to provide a reference for early diagnosis of central nervous system anomalies such as hydrocephalus and holoprosencephaly.
Methods:
From March 2007 to August 2007, 46 patients were included. All patients had routine first-trimester 2- and 3-dimensional sonographic examinations at the same time. All cases were examined with a Voluson 730 Expert or Voluson E8 ultrasound scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) using a 4- to 8- or 6- to 12-MHz transvaginal probe. Volumes were reviewed and analyzed with GE 4DView release 6 software. After the inversion-rendering mode was selected, volumes were dissected by the MagicCut function to show the ventricles.
Results:
A total of 34 volumes from 7 to 12 complete gestational weeks were successfully dissected. Those before 7 and after 12 weeks could not be dissected properly. The crown-rump length ranged from 12.7 to 68 mm. Twelve representative images of the rendered volumes in chronologic order are shown. The brain volume dissections of 2 fetuses with ventriculomegaly and alobar holoprosencephaly are shown for comparison.
Conclusions:
Early human brain ventricular structures could be evaluated in vivo with 3-dimensional sonography. This presentation shows the timeline of brain development and provides reference images to compare possible anomalies of development.
