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First trimester fetal proportion volumetric measurements using a Virtual Reality approach
Clarissa J Wiertsema1,2, Jan S Erkamp1,2, Annemarie G M G J Mulders3
1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Prenatal Diagnosis
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and Virtual Reality (VR) enable feasible and reproducible first-trimester fetal proportion volumetric measurements, except for extremities. These advancements support detailed fetal development research.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Accurate fetal biometry is crucial for monitoring development.
- Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and Virtual Reality (VR) offer advanced visualization and measurement capabilities.
- Establishing the reliability of novel measurement techniques is essential before clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of fetal proportion volumetric measurements.
- To utilize three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and a Virtual Reality (VR) system for these measurements.
- To evaluate the reliability of measurements for various fetal body parts.
Main Methods:
- Collected 3D ultrasound datasets from 50 fetuses in the late first trimester.
- Used V-scope software for volumetric measurements of total fetus, extremities, head-trunk, head, trunk, thorax, and abdomen.
- Analyzed intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility using Bland and Altman methods.
Main Results:
- High reproducibility (ICC > 0.979, CV < 7.51%) for most volumetric measurements.
- Interobserver limits of agreement within ±10% for total fetus, head-trunk, head, and trunk.
- Lower reproducibility for extremities, thorax, and abdomen measurements.
Conclusions:
- First-trimester fetal proportion volumetric measurements using 3D ultrasound and VR are feasible and reproducible.
- Measurements of fetal extremities showed lower reproducibility.
- These novel measurements can facilitate future research on early fetal development and growth.
