Fetal and placental anatomy visualized with cinematic rendering from volumetric CT data

Avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure in children, including fetuses or embryos, is of paramount importance. However, emergent clinical situations will arise that necessitate the use of ionizing radiation-based modalities, such as computed tomography (CT), in this patient population. In such circumstances, the use of advanced visualization methods may provide optimum diagnostic utility. We present the case of a pregnant patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome who was evaluated with CT angiography to rule out an acute aortic syndrome. The CT data from the fetus and placenta were reconstructed using the new cinematic rendering technique that allows for photorealistic display. The potential advantages of cinematic rendering relative to traditional volume rendering are discussed.