[Fetal neurosonography using 3-dimensional multiplanar sonography]

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Prenatal diagnostics
• Neurosonography

Background:

• Routine fetal brain examination relies on axial planes, which are often insufficient for a complete neurosonogram.
• Obtaining coronal and sagittal views for comprehensive fetal neurosonography can be challenging.
• Advanced imaging techniques are needed to improve visualization of fetal brain structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound with multiplanar rendering mode (MPR) for fetal brain examination.
• To demonstrate how 3D MPR facilitates the acquisition of essential coronal and sagittal views.
• To highlight the potential for early neurosonography from the 7th week of gestation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound technology.
• Employing the multiplanar rendering mode (MPR) to reconstruct images from digital volumes.
• Generating orthogonal planes, tomographic slices, or single planes of interest for detailed analysis.

Main Results:

• 3D MPR allows for the reconstruction of multiple views from a single digital volume.
• This technique simplifies the demonstration of key fetal brain structures, including the corpus callosum, cerebellar vermis, and hippocampus.
• The method enables comprehensive visualization, overcoming limitations of traditional axial plane imaging.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional ultrasound with MPR is a valuable tool for detailed fetal neurosonography.
• It improves visualization of critical brain structures and facilitates early detection.
• This approach supports enhanced prenatal assessment of the developing fetal brain.