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A Systematic Approach to the Use of the Multiplanar Display in Evaluation of Abnormal Vascular Connections to the Fetal Heart Using 4‐Dimensional Ultrasonography
Author(s) -
Espinoza Jimmy,
Hassan Sonia S.,
Gotsch Francesca,
Kusanovic Juan Pedro,
Lee Wesley,
Erez Offer,
Gonçalves Luís F.,
Schoen Mary Lou,
Romero Roberto
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/jum.2007.26.11.1461
Subject(s) - medicine , radiology , fetal heart , fetus , fetal echocardiography , great vessels , inferior vena cava , superior vena cava , coronary sinus , persistent left superior vena cava , cardiology , prenatal diagnosis , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objectives The multiplanar display is a modality that allows the simultaneous visualization of 3 orthogonal planes from volume data sets obtained with 3‐ and 4‐dimensional ultrasonography. Simultaneous display of standard views used in fetal echocardiography and their orthogonal planes may provide novel ultrasonographic views for examination of the fetal heart and its vascular connections. This study was designed to determine the clinical utility of the multiplanar display in the examination of abnormal vascular connections to the fetal heart. Methods We reviewed 4‐dimensional volume data sets, acquired with the spatiotemporal image correlation technique, from patients with abnormal vascular connections to the fetal heart. Multiplanar views of the fetal heart were used to simultaneously display standard planes used in fetal echocardiography and their corresponding orthogonal planes. Results This study included 4 volume data sets from fetuses with confirmed abnormal vascular connections to the heart, including: (1) an interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos or hemiazygos vein continuation; (2) a persistent left superior vena cava draining into a dilated coronary sinus; and (3) a dilated superior vena cava associated with a thoracic lymphangioma. Simultaneous visualization of orthogonal planes displaying abnormal vascular connections to the fetal heart facilitated identification of the abnormal vessels and their spatial relationships with other vascular structures. Conclusions Multiplanar imaging can be used to assess abnormal vascular connections to the fetal heart and may provide novel ultrasonographic planes for fetal echocardiography using 3‐ and 4‐dimensional ultrasonography.