The effect of measurement technique on the interobserver reliability of ovarian volume calculation from three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound (US) data was investigated. Ovarian volume was calculated in ...20 patients by two observers using both the “prolate ellipsoid formula” and a new 3-D rotational technique (VOCAL). There was a significant difference between observers in mean ovarian volume calculated by the prolate ellipsoid formula (31.54 mL vs. 26.54 mL:
p < 0.05), which proved to be a significantly less reliable technique than 3-D rotational volume calculation with VOCAL. Image quality was significantly better (
p < 0.001) and measurements were significantly more reliable (
p < 0.05) in the B-plane than in the C- plane of the multiplanar display. Rotational measurement of ovarian volume from 3-D US data is significantly more reliable between observers than volume estimation from 2-D parameters using the prolate ellipsoid formula, but is dependent upon image quality, which is significantly better in the B-plane than in the C-plane. (E-mail: nick.fenning@nottingham.ac.uk)
Two real-time three-dimensional images of first-trimester pregnancies visualized using virtual reality (VR) are presented. Inherently three-dimensional structures, like the umbilical cord and limbs, ...can be efficiently and accurately measured using VR.
Abstract Objective: To assess the three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography (3D power Doppler) vascular indices in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and posterior ...cerebral artery (PCA) territories. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 111 normal pregnancies between 26 and 34 weeks. The MCA, ACA and PCA territories closest to the transducer were scanned and volumes were calculated by using the VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis) program. The 3D power Doppler indices – vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI) were calculated. Scatter graphs, Pearson correlation coefficients ( r ) and linear regression models were used. Results: Only the FI-MCA ( r = 0.38 and p < 0.001), VFI-MCA ( r = 0.23 and p = 0.016) and FI-PCA ( r = 0.191 and p = 0.040) had a low correlation with gestational age. The other 3D power Doppler indices VI-MCA ( r = 0.153 and p = 0.150), VI-ACA ( r = 0.105 and p = 0.271), FI-ACA ( r = 0.154 and p = 0.106), VFI-ACA ( r = 0.134 and p = 0.161), VI-PCA ( r = 0.105 and p = 0.270) and VFI-PCA ( r = 0.126 and p = 0.180) showed no statistically significant correlation with gestational. Conclusion: It was observed a low correlation between gestational age and the FI-MCA, VFI-MCA and FI-PCA.
Three-dimensional ultrasound is an established diagnostic imaging technique in many specialties. However, in neonates, infants and children three-dimensional ultrasound still is underutilized, ...partially due to time constraints for post-processing and restricted availability, of devices as well as dedicated pediatric transducers. Also reimbursement issues still need to be addressed. This editorial review presents more or less established pediatric three-dimensional ultrasound applications with proven diagnostic benefit as well as potential future applications of three-dimensional/four-dimensional ultrasound in infants and children, aiming at enhancing research and promoting practical use of three-dimensional ultrasound in relevant pediatric conditions. Particularly, applications in neonatal neurosonography, ultrasound of the urogenital tract as well as some other small part and miscellaneous queries are highlighted. Additional other potential and future indications are discussed briefly, also mentioning restrictions and potential future developments. In summary, three-dimensional ultrasound holds some potential to widen sonographic diagnostic capabilities throughout childhood and hopefully will be increasingly investigated and introduced into clinical practice provided respective equipment and pediatric three-dimensional/four-dimensional ultrasound transducers become available.
Fetal encephalocele, with high risk of mortality and morbidity, is one of the most serious congenital neural tube defects. Prenatal diagnosis of encephalocele is important in fetal medicine. In this ...study, we detected encephalocele using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US). We reviewed our medical records of prenatal diagnosis of fetal encephalocele in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from May 2000 to November 2011. All the cases were scanned by two-dimensional and 3D US. In total, 10 cases of fetal encephalocele were diagnosed and enrolled for analysis. The range of gestational age at prenatal diagnosis by US was 12–27 weeks, and one case was diagnosed in the first trimester. Among them, 70% were occipital encephalocele, 10% frontal encephalocele, and 20% parietal encephalocele. Compared with previous studies, 3D US can detect fetal encephalocele early and provide additional vivid illustrations after various modes of reconstruction. In conclusion, 3D US may contribute to early detection of fetal encephalocele and provide visual depiction, thus, assisting substantially with prenatal diagnosis as well as genetic consultation.
Introduction and hypothesis
The assessment of the levator function by ultrasound has not been fully studied. This study aims to test the validity of ultrasound parameters in the assessment of levator ...function in women presenting with different pelvic floor structural changes.
Methods
One hundred and three patients, 36 pelvic organ prolapse women, 36 stress urinary incontinence women and 31 normal controls, were recruited. The images of the midsagittal field and volume datasets at rest and during contraction were acquired. The intra-observer reliability of ultrasound measurements was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients and their 95% CI. Displacement of the bladder neck, sagittal hiatal diameter, levator hiatal angle and levator hiatus area were considered in the assessment. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the significance of differences of the parameters among the three groups.
Results
Ninety-six datasets were analyzed. The parameters measured at rest and during contraction were found to be significantly different, while the parameters representing changes in levator hiatus opening dimensions and displacement of the bladder neck during pelvic floor muscle contraction were found to be not significantly different.
Conclusions
Ultrasound parameters representing changes in levator hiatus opening dimensions and displacement of the bladder neck during pelvic floor muscle contraction may not be sensitive enough to distinguish the state of the pelvic floor muscle function.
Parapagus (laterally fused), diprosopus (two faces), dibrachius (two upper extremities), dipus (two lower extremities) conjoined twinning is extremely rare. The coexistence of anencephaly with a ...contiguous spinal defect (craniorachischisis totalis) makes the present case one of the rarest of the published cases. In our case, it was difficult to make the final diagnosis by two‐dimensional abdominal and vaginal ultrasound. Three‐dimensional ultrasound was helpful for final diagnosis and post‐abortal examination confirmed the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis. The heart, diaphragm, liver and perineum were all united. Fine dissection of the heart showed four vessels arising from the ventricles and a membranous type ventricular septal defect.
To assess intraobserver reproducibility of the endometrial volume (EV) and 3D power Doppler indices (vascularization index, VI; flow index, FI; and vascularization flow index, VFI) of the endometrium ...and subendometrial area using three-dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D-PDA).
Twenty-five women on the hCG day after controlled ovarian stimulation and 15 patients presenting with uterine bleeding and suspicious endometrial thickening (10 endometrial cancers and 5 endometrial hyperplasias) were scanned. Eighty volume data sets were analyzed using the VOCAL imaging program. EV and VI, FI and VFI of the endometrium and subendometrium (5 mm shell) were manually calculated in the longitudinal and coronal planes with 15° and 9° rotation steps. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess reliability.
EV measurements were highly reproducible (ICC ≥ 0.97) without significant differences between planes and rotation steps. Endometrial and subendometrial VI, FI, and VFI presented ICCs above 0.90 with the exception of the subendometrial FI (ICC ≥ 0.80). There were no significant differences according to measurement plane and rotation step except for subendometrial VFI. Nevertheless, 3D power Doppler indices calculated in the coronal plane and 9° rotation step obtained the highest ICC. ICCs for 3D-PDA indices from the tumoral endometria were significantly higher than those calculated from the stimulated endometria.
Endometrial volume and endometrial and subendometrial 3D power Doppler indices have an acceptable reproducibility, significantly higher in tumoral endometria. The reliability of measurements does not seem to be significantly influenced by the rotation plane and degrees of rotation. These results support that 3D-PDA and VOCAL are reliable methods to evaluate the physiological and pathological changes of the endometrium.
Objective: To assess the fetal lumbosacral spine by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography using volume contrast imaging (VCI) omni view method and compare reproducibility and agreement between three ...different measurement techniques: standard mouse, high definition mouse and pen-tablet. Methods: A comparative and prospective study with 40 pregnant women between 20 and 34 + 6 weeks was realized. 3D volume datasets of the fetal spine were acquired using a convex transabdominal transducer. Starting scan plane was the coronal section of fetal lumbosacral spine by VCI-C function. Omni view manual trace was selected and a parallel plane of fetal spine was drawn including interest region. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for reproducibility analysis. The relative difference between three used techniques was compared by chi-square test and Fischer test. Results: Pen-tablet showed better reliability (ICC = 0.987). In the relative proportion of differences, this was significantly higher for the pen-tablet (82.14%; p < 0.01). In paired comparison, the relative difference was significantly greater for the pen-tablet (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The pen-tablet showed to be the most reproductive and concordant method in the measurement of body vertebral area of fetal lumbosacral spine by 3D ultrasonography using the VCI.
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