title: Assessment of Intracranial Structure Volumes in Fetuses With Growth Restriction by 3-Dimensional Sonography Using the Extended Imaging Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis Method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess intracranial structure volumes by 3-dimensional (3D) sonography in fetuses with growth restriction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cross-sectional case-control study involving 59 fetuses with growth restriction (38 fetuses with estimated weight <3rd percentile and 21 fetuses with estimated weight between 3rd and 10th percentiles, according to Hadlock et al [Radiology 1984; 150:535-540]) and 54 controls between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation. The following fetal intracranial structure volumes were assessed: cerebellum, brain, and frontal region. The volume was assessed by 3D sonography using the extended imaging virtual organ computer-aided analysis method with 10 sequential planes. Analysis of variance was used to compare fetal groups. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical significance between the brain, frontal region, and cerebellar volumes and a relationship between the frontal region and the brain in fetuses with estimated weights below the 3rd percentile and controls were observed (P < .001; P < .001; and P = .002; and P = .008, respectively). Good intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was observed for the fetal brain, frontal region, and cerebellar volumes, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.998, 0.997, 0.997, 0.999, 0.997, and 0.998, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intracranial structure volumes assessed by 3D sonography using the extended imaging virtual organ computer-aided analysis method were reduced in fetuses with growth restriction (estimated weight <3rd percentile).
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Rabachini
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Perez
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Zamarian
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. araujojred@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araujo Júnior
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Oliveira
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina Pacheco
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liliam Cristine
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Fernandes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Moron
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano Marcondes Machado
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nardozza
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: 3-dimensional sonography; brain; cerebellum; extended imaging virtual organ computer-aided analysis; fetal growth restriction; frontal lobe; obstetric ultrasound