Three-dimensional Multi-slice View: New Prospects for Evaluation of Congenital Anomalies in the Fetus

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the use and potential of Multi-Slice View 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonographic software (Medison Co, Ltd, Seoul, Korea) in showing fetal congenital anomalies.

Methods: Fetuses with congenital anomalies diagnosed by means of 2-dimensional ultrasonography were prospectively included in the study. Good-quality 3D volumes of the region of interest were obtained in each case. Subsequently, these volumes were reviewed with use of 3D eXtended Imaging with Multi-Slice View and SonoMR (Medison Co, Ltd). Image processing was performed through the use of off-line software (Medison XI Viewer, version 1.0.0.218).

Results: A total of 6 fetuses (median gestational age, 27 weeks; range, 16-35 weeks) with the following anomalies were examined: dacryocystocele, esophageal atresia, right-sided aortic arch, hydrometrocolpos, horseshoe kidney, and hemivertebra. Images of diagnostic quality were obtained from all patients. According to the respective underlying anomalies and the positions of the fetuses, images were obtained from the initial axial plane in 2 cases (esophageal atresia and right-sided aortic arch) and from reconstructed planes in the remaining 4 cases (dacryocystocele, hydrometrocolpos, horseshoe kidney, and hemivertebra).

Conclusions: Three-dimensional Multi-Slice View can deliver informative images of the region of interest regardless of fetal position. It may be particularly helpful for evaluation of difficult anomalies in the fetus.