Fetal Anatomy by Three-Dimensional Ultrasound

A major goal of perinatal care is to accurately diagnose fetal anomalies prior to birth. This capability allows clinicians to make prudent decisions regarding antepartum care, delivery site, and postnatal therapy. Three-dimensional ultrasound is a recent technology that provides a new way to evaluate the fetus. This technique allows one to scan through a digital ultrasound volume dataset, visualize organs from different perspectives, measure volumes, and render anatomical features through computer processing. However, the accurate characterization of fetal anomalies by this technique must be interpreted in relation to normal fetal anatomy at different stages of pregnancy.

We are continuing to develop an image reference library of fetal anatomy by identifying key diagnostic features by three-dimensional ultrasound. A cross-sectional observational study of up to 1,400 fetuses will catalog a broad spectrum of congenital malformations at various gestational ages. The protocol will include up to 400 examples of normal fetal anatomy by three-dimensional ultrasonography.

All cases will be placed into a digital image database. For each anomaly category, volume reconstructions will be compared to normal anatomy at specific gestational ages. Key diagnostic findings will be documented and correlated with postnatal outcome. We anticipate that our results will permit improved diagnostic interpretation of congenital defects throughout pregnancy.

A major goal of perinatal care is to accurately diagnose fetal anomalies prior to birth. This capability allows clinicians to make prudent decisions regarding antepartum care, delivery site, and postnatal therapy. Three-dimensional ultrasound is a recent technology that provides a new way to evaluate the fetus. This technique allows one to scan through a digital ultrasound volume dataset, visualize organs from different perspectives, measure volumes, and render anatomical features through computer processing. However, the accurate characterization of fetal anomalies by this technique must be interpreted in relation to normal fetal anatomy at different stages of pregnancy.

We are continuing to develop an image reference library of fetal anatomy by identifying key diagnostic features by three-dimensional ultrasound. A cross-sectional observational study of up to 7,000 fetuses will catalog a broad spectrum of congenital malformations at various gestational ages. A subset of the fetuses enrolled in this protocol will also be examined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to identify potential advantages and limitations of this imaging modality when compared to 3DUS for the diagnosis of congenital anomalies. The protocol will include up to 400 examples of normal fetal anatomy by three-dimensional ultrasonography.

All cases will be placed into a digital image database. For each anomaly category, volume data will be acquired at specific gestational ages. Key diagnostic features will be documented and correlated with postnatal outcome. Postnatal correlative studies may include ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), and photography. We anticipate that our results will permit improved diagnostic interpretation of congenital defects throughout pregnancy.