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Three‐dimensional ultrasonographic depiction of fetal brain blood vessels
Author(s) -
Da Eran,
Weisz Boaz,
Achiron Reuven,
Pretorius Dolores H.,
WeissmannBrenner Alina,
Gindes Liat
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.4791
Subject(s) - circle of willis , fetus , medicine , anatomy , cerebral arteries , middle cerebral artery , anterior cerebral artery , radiology , internal carotid artery , pregnancy , cardiology , ischemia , biology , genetics
Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the fetal cerebral vasculature by three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and Doppler technologies in normal fetuses and to describe a systematic method for analysis of volume data sets. Methods 3D volumes of the fetal brain were acquired prospectively in 25 patients between 12.3 and 36.3 weeks' gestation. Volumes were acquired with high‐definition Doppler flow. The feasibility of identifying the fetal cerebral blood vessels and venous sinuses was analyzed. Results A step‐by‐step systematic approach to identify the cerebral vasculature from ultrasonographic volume data sets was developed. The volumes were rotated into a standard anatomic orientation in the multiplanar display, and then, by systematic navigation, the vessels were demonstrated. Arteries of the circle of Willis, basilar artery, pericallosal artery, and internal carotid arteries were demonstrated in more than half of the fetuses. Tiny vessels such as those that supply the cerebellum and those that branch from the pericallosal artery were demonstrated in less than 50% of the volumes. Conclusions The essential fetal cerebral vessels can be visualized by 3D volume analysis. Systematic analysis enables identification of the fetal brain arteries, veins, and sinuses and provides knowledge about anatomical variations and the diversity of human anatomy. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.