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Three‐dimensional volumetry in fetal weight estimation, cerebral ventricle measurements, and cardiac function
Author(s) -
Yagel S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.abs28-14.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , ventricle , fetal echocardiography , gestational age , gestation , cardiac function curve , cardiology , cerebral ventricle , cardiac ventricle , diastole , pregnancy , prenatal diagnosis , heart failure , blood pressure , genetics , biology
Objectives: To examine the applicability and efficacy of 3‐D volumetry in three discrete areas: fetal weight estimation, cerebral ventricle measurements, and 3‐D echocardiographic studies of fetal cardiac function. Materials and methods: Group 1: fetal weight estimation: 250 gravidae with uncomplicated singleton gestations and first‐trimester confirmation of gestational age were examined up to 48 h before delivery using both standard 2‐D fetal weight estimation and 3‐D volumetry. Group 2: fetal cerebral ventricle measurements: 40 gravidae with first‐trimester confirmation of dates were examined at 15–25 weeks gestation. Fetal lateral ventricles were measured by 3‐D volumetry. Group 3: 3‐D echocardiography: 40 gravidae with 1st‐trimester confirmation of dates were examined at 15–25 weeks gestation. End‐systolic and ‐diastolic ventricular volumes were studied to evaluate fetal cardiac function. Results: In these preliminary groups 3‐D volumetry for fetal weight estimation was shown to have a considerable advantage over standard 2‐D methods. Three‐dimensional volumetry of the fetal cerebral lateral ventricles is a simple method of measuring the fetal brain, and may prove to be a more intelligent method of evaluating cerebral ventricular volume. Three‐dimensional echocardiographic volumetry of the end‐systolic and ‐diastolic ventricular volumes is a new method for evaluating fetal cardiac function, and has considerable potential in heart scanning in cases of suspected fetal heart failure. Conclusions: Three‐dimensional ultrasonography shows great potential in the evaluation and volumetric measurement of many fetal organ systems.