title: The primary application of three-dimensional ultrasonography in obstetrics.
abstract: To date, no report of three-dimensional ultrasonography in obstetrics has been available in the literature. In this study we describe the primary experience with three-dimensional ultrasonography for the prenatal evaluation of nine fetuses between 21 and 33 weeks of gestation. We found that it provides more information for clinical diagnosis than the traditional two-dimensional ultrasonography. The following advantages are notable: (1) the anatomic area of interest can be located first with the conventional real-time two-dimensional mode, then switched to reveal three-dimensional images, instantly; (2) three images are exhibited concurrently; (3) each of the three images can be arrayed separately and scrolled to search for the area of interest within the scanned volume; (4) the three-dimensional ultrasonography can be equipped with Doppler color flow mapping for the study of the fetal cardiovascular system. In conclusion, we believe that three-dimensional ultrasonography can greatly strengthen diagnostic potential, which deserves obstetricians' attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000196:embryology; D006257:Head / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013270:Stomach / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging