Interobserver reproducibility of transabdominal 3-dimensional sonography of the fetal brain.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the interobserver reproducibility of transabdominal 3-dimensional (3D) fetal neurosonography.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational study. We studied 23 consecutive singleton pregnancies between 18 and 23 weeks' gestation. All cases had normal fetal neurosonographic examination findings, which were confirmed after birth. A 3D sonographic volume of the fetal head was acquired transabdominally by a single operator using an axial approach. Fetal brain anatomy was later analyzed offline by 2 different operators. Axial, sagittal, and coronal views of the fetal brain were obtained to perform a detailed evaluation of the fetal brain. Each operator defined the scanning planes obtained as adequate or inadequate. Results were evaluated with 2 x 2 tables and the Cohen kappa coefficient to assess interobserver agreement.


RESULTS
Good-quality multiplanar images were obtained in 23 of 23 cases. The rate of adequate visualization was 100% for all of the axial planes, with kappa values of 1.00. For sagittal and coronal planes, the rate of visualization ranged between 78% and 91%, with kappa values ranging between 0.61 and 0.83.


CONCLUSIONS
Transabdominal 3D sonography of the fetal brain at 18 to 23 weeks' gestation has an acceptable degree of interobserver reproducibility.
Fratelli
Nicola
N
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy. nicolaf23@gmail.com
Taddei
Fabrizio
F
Prefumo
Federico
F
Franceschetti
Laura
L
Farina
Giuliano
G
Frusca
Tiziana
T
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*