Umbilical cord cysts: evaluation with different 3-dimensional sonographic modes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this series was to determine whether the use of different 3-dimensional (3D) sonographic modes allows better definition of umbilical cord cysts and pseudocysts in utero.


METHODS
Two cases of umbilical cord cysts and 1 of a pseudocyst were analyzed and compared with 2-dimensional (2D), 3D, angiopower Doppler, tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), and automatic volume calculation (AVC) sonographic modes. All cases were followed during pregnancy. A karyotype analysis was also obtained.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional sonography, TUI, and VOCAL allowed clear visualization and evaluation of the sizes, locations, and numbers of umbilical cord cysts. A clear differentiation between a pseudocyst and the yolk sac was obtained with AVC and angiopower Doppler sonography. The 3D sonographic surface mode allowed better visualization of other accompanying fetal malformations.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional sonography allows for a more accurate diagnosis and provides a clearer visualization of malformations than 2D imaging. Cysts and pseudocysts can be defined much more accurately by using the different modes described here.
Bonilla
Francisco
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valencia School of Medicine, Blasco Ibañez 17, 46011 Valencia, Spain. profesorbonillamusoles@hotmail.com
Raga
Francisco
F
Villalaiz
Esperanza
E
Osborne
Newton
N
Castillo
Juan Carlos
JC
Bonilla-Musoles
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014496:Urachal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult