Fetal lung volume: comparison by 2D- and 3D-sonography in normal fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D US) and three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D US) in the assessment of normal fetal lung volume.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed involving 50 normal pregnancies at 24-32 weeks' gestation. The following equations were used for lung volume calculation by 2D US: Eq(2D1) = 4.24 + {1.53 x [(area of base of both lungs) x 1/3 (height of right lung)]} and Eq(2D2) = [anteroposterior diameter (X) x transverse diameter (Y) x cranial-caudal diameter (Z) of the right lung x 0.152 + (X') x (Y') x (Z') of the left lung x 0.167]. For 3D US, the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) method was used with a 30 degrees rotation angle and the total lung volume (V3D) was obtained by summing the volumes of each lung. Regression models (R (2)) were devised to assess lung volume evolution over the course of the pregnancy. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess correlation among the techniques, while Friedman's test was used for means comparisons.


RESULTS
Strong correlation was observed among the three techniques [V3D vs. Eq(2D2) r = 0.856; V3D vs. Eq(2D1) r = 0.838 and Eq(2D2) vs. Eq(2D1) r = 0.964; all with P < 0.001]. Mean lung volumes were 37.05 +/- 9.67, 29.79 +/- 8.79 and 12.67 +/- 4.12 ml for V3D, Eq(2D1) and Eq(2D2), respectively (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Strong correlation and significant difference was observed among the three techniques of fetal lung volume assessment in normal fetuses.
Britto
Ingrid Schwach Werneck
IS
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Science College of Santa Casa of São Paulo (FCMSCSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
de Silva Bussamra
Luiz Cláudio
LC
Araujo Júnior
Edward
E
Tedesco
Giselle Darahem
GD
Nardozza
Luciano Marcondes Machado
LM
Moron
Antonio Fernandes
AF
Aoki
Tsutomu
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult