title: Three-dimensional ultrasonographic depiction of fetal brain blood vessels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to evaluate the fetal cerebral vasculature by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography and Doppler technologies in normal fetuses and to describe a systematic method for analysis of volume data sets.
  
  
  METHODS
  3D volumes of the fetal brain were acquired prospectively in 25 patients between 12.3 and 36.3 weeks' gestation. Volumes were acquired with high-definition Doppler flow. The feasibility of identifying the fetal cerebral blood vessels and venous sinuses was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A step-by-step systematic approach to identify the cerebral vasculature from ultrasonographic volume data sets was developed. The volumes were rotated into a standard anatomic orientation in the multiplanar display, and then, by systematic navigation, the vessels were demonstrated. Arteries of the circle of Willis, basilar artery, pericallosal artery, and internal carotid arteries were demonstrated in more than half of the fetuses. Tiny vessels such as those that supply the cerebellum and those that branch from the pericallosal artery were demonstrated in less than 50% of the volumes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The essential fetal cerebral vessels can be visualized by 3D volume analysis. Systematic analysis enables identification of the fetal brain arteries, veins, and sinuses and provides knowledge about anatomical variations and the diversity of human anatomy. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University), Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Eran
authors: E
authors: Danon
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University), Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Boaz
authors: B
authors: Weisz
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University), Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Reuven
authors: R
authors: Achiron
authors: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, Thornton Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Dolores H
authors: DH
authors: Pretorius
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University), Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Alina
authors: A
authors: Weissmann-Brenner
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University), Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors: Liat
authors: L
authors: Gindes
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004453:Echoencephalography; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal