Prenatal diagnosis: what does four-dimensional ultrasound add?

Introduction: The key benefit of 4D ultrasound lies in providing real-time 3D images of embryonic or fetal movements, previously limited by technological advancement.

Aim: To classify types of first trimester embryonic and fetal movements in normal pregnancies as seen by 4D sonography.

Results: Three types of movements can be visualized in the first trimester: gross body between seven and eight weeks, limb movements after ten weeks and complex limb movements after 11 weeks of gestation.

Limb deformities and three-dimensional ultrasound.

Aim: To assess the ability of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography for improvement of antenatal detection of limb deformities.

Methods: 347 patients were selected from a routine outpatient clinic or sent for supervision from other units because of suspected anomalies of fetal extremities. 3D ultrasound devices used in the study were Combison 530D and Voluson 530D MT (Kretztechnik, Zipf, Austria) with a 3-5 MHz annular array transducer for three-dimensional volume scanning.

Assessment of early chorionic circulation by three-dimensional power Doppler.

Three-dimensional power Doppler sonography is a unique instrument that enables assessment of vascular signals within the whole investigated area. Hemodynamical changes included in the process of early placentation are one of the most exciting topics in investigation of early human development. This investigation was designed as an observational cross-sectional study.