Hata T, Aoki S, Hata K, Miyazaki K, Akahane M, Mochizuki T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Obstet Gynecol. 1998 Feb;91(2):218-23. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(97)00598-x.
To visualize fetal surface anatomic structures in advancing gestation by use of three-dimensional ultrasonography with a specially developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer.
One hundred six normal fetuses from 9 to 40 weeks' gestation were studied with a specially developed abdominal three-dimensional transducer (3.5 MHz). This imaging system can provide conventional two-dimensional ultrasonography images and also can generate within seconds high-quality three-dimensional images in the surface and transparent modes with no need for an external workstation. We determined percentage of surface anatomic structures visualized at each trimester using two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography.
The number and the clarity of surface anatomic structures increased from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. The image quality was less distinct in the first trimester because of the small fetal size. The ability to view the fetal face, hands, and feet was better with three-dimensional ultrasonography than with two-dimensional ultrasonography in the first trimester (P < .05), whereas fetal genitals were viewed better with two-dimensional ultrasonography than with three-dimensional ultrasonography in the second and third trimesters (P < .05).
Three-dimensional ultrasonography provides a new means of visualizing surface anatomic structures of the fetus in utero. Our results suggest that three-dimensional ultrasonography has the potential to be a supplement to two-dimensional ultrasonography and should be useful in evaluating fetal abnormalities in high-risk pregnancies.
使用专门研发的腹部三维探头，通过三维超声检查观察不同孕周胎儿的体表解剖结构。
采用专门研发的腹部三维探头（3.5兆赫）对106例孕9至40周的正常胎儿进行研究。该成像系统既能提供传统二维超声图像，又能在数秒内生成高质量的表面模式和透明模式三维图像，无需外部工作站。我们使用二维和三维超声检查确定各孕期可见的体表解剖结构的百分比。
孕期从第一阶段到第三阶段，体表解剖结构的数量和清晰度均增加。由于胎儿较小，第一孕期的图像质量不太清晰。在第一孕期，三维超声观察胎儿面部、手部和足部的能力优于二维超声（P < 0.05），而在第二和第三孕期，二维超声观察胎儿生殖器的效果优于三维超声（P < 0.05）。
三维超声检查为观察子宫内胎儿的体表解剖结构提供了一种新方法。我们的结果表明，三维超声检查有可能成为二维超声检查的补充手段，在评估高危妊娠中的胎儿异常情况时应会很有用。
