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Feasibility of detection of the 3-vessel and trachea view using 3-dimensional sonographic volumes
Alina Weissmann-Brenner1, Michal Zajicek, Boaz Weisz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel. alinabrenner@yahoo.com.
Insights
This study demonstrates that 3-dimensional sonography can effectively visualize key fetal heart views, including the 4-chamber and 3-vessel and trachea views, aiding in prenatal diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Cardiology
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
Background:
- Accurate visualization of fetal cardiac anatomy is crucial for prenatal diagnosis.
- Traditional 2D sonography can have limitations in fully assessing complex cardiac structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 3-dimensional (3D) sonography in depicting standard fetal cardiac views.
- To assess the ability to visualize the 4-chamber view and the 3-vessel and trachea view.
Main Methods:
- Prospective acquisition of 3D color Doppler fetal heart volumes in 31 fetuses (19-25 weeks gestation).
- Utilized postprocessing navigation within acquired volumes to identify specific anatomical planes and structures.
- Evaluated the feasibility of visualizing the stomach, pulmonary artery, aorta, aortic arches, superior vena cava, and trachea.
Main Results:
- High detection rates were achieved for the 4-chamber view (100%) and stomach (93.5%).
- The 3-vessel view (92.0%) and V sign (83.9%) also showed good visualization.
- Detection rates for the trachea were 77.4%, with strong interobserver agreement (0.76-1.0).
Conclusions:
- A simplified 3D sonography technique allows visualization of fetal situs, stomach, 4-chamber view, and outflow tracts from a single sweep.
- This method offers a potentially efficient approach for comprehensive fetal heart assessment.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability to depict the 4-chamber and 3-vessel and trachea views of the fetal heart using 3-dimensional sonography.
Methods:
Three-dimensional color Doppler volumes of the fetal heart were acquired prospectively in 31 fetuses between 19 and 25 gestational weeks. The initial plane consisted of the 4-chamber view. Postprocessing included navigation within the volume solely in plane A in the caudal direction to visualize the stomach and in the cephalic direction to the plane of the 3-vessel and trachea view to visualize the pulmonary artery, the aorta, the V shape and color of the arches, the superior vena cava, and the trachea. The feasibility of showing these organs was evaluated.
Results:
The estimated time for volume acquisition and manipulation was about 60 seconds. The detection rates for the 4-chamber view, stomach, 3-vessel view, trachea, and V sign were 100%, 93.5%, 92.0%, 77.4%, and 83.9%, respectively, with interobserver agreement of 0.76 to 1.0.
Conclusions:
We describe a simple technique in which a single sweep on 3-dimensional sonography starting at the level of the 4-chamber view can visualize the situs, stomach, 4-chamber view, and transverse view of the outflow tracts of the heart.
