title: Three-dimensional sonographic features of nuchal edema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the three-dimensional (3D) sonographic features of nuchal edema in the early second trimester of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 16 to 22 weeks of gestation 5 cases with nuchal edema were studied using transabdominal 3D sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nuchal edema could be easily imaged with both two-dimensional and 3D sonography; however, visualization of the continuity and curvature of structures was more easily accomplished with 3D sonography. Before 20 weeks of gestation, the skin has a transparent structure, so the bony structures are clearly identified. 3D sonography allowed visualization of nuchal edema in all three dimensions at the same time, providing an improved overview and a more clearly defined demonstration of the adjusted anatomical planes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that 3D sonography provides a novel means of visualizing nuchal edema in utero.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Kagawa Medical University, Kagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohno
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanenishi
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuno
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Chizu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yamashiro
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiota
authors.forename: Daisaku
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Senoh
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
mesh_terms: D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D014314:Trisomy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*