The Clinical Advantages of 3D and 4D Ultrasound

3D and 4D Ultrasound Scan Clinical Advantages

3D and 4D Advantages In General

Simplified 3D acquisition
Reduce study time, decrease patient waiting times
Faster examination procedure
The C-plane obtained, not possible in 2D
Complete examination through increased perspective from volume data, … better qualitative and quantitative information to diagnose effectively
All planes of view reproducible: virtual patient
Anatomical views not possible with 2D scanning
Simplify orientation for referring physician patient

Obstetrics

Morphology, malformation, agenesis (3D, easier in 4D)
Bone shape abnormalities: spina bifida, dwarfism, club feet on one image, cleft palate vs. cleft lip.
Skeletal. dysplasia, abnormalities in dynamic (4D): investigation of spine
Fetal heart (4D): better correlation between valves, chambers and vessels; volume calculation of heart cavities; atrial and ventricular communication; assessment of valvular function.
Variety of fetal volume evaluation: urinary bladder, stomach, cyst
Fetal biopsy (4D): umbilical blood sampling puncture with precision, amniocentesis, kidney dilatation,uropathy
Fetal well-being (4D): normal vs. abnormal fetal gestures; evaluation of fetal sleep vs. awakening. Motion:deglutition, respiratory motion, eyelid, limbs and mouth motion,
fetal digestive peristaltic motion.
Fetal neuro-myopathy genetic diseases (4D): fetal reactivity / tonicity
Cord insertion using power-Dopper and 3D
Frontal bones, spatial view of fusion or not

STIC and Fetal Cardio

Fast, efficient assessment
Information acquired can be accessed offline, allowing processing of reproducible views.
Simultaneous visualization of 2-3 planes: easier for obstetrician to learn spatial orientation of fetal heart.
Better correlation between valves, chambers and vessels.
Volume calculation of heart cavities
Better access: Left ventricular and right ventricular outflow tracts easier to see with the 3D volume; opening and closing of the foramen ovale difficult to see in 2D, new views now seen with 3D.
Atrial and ventricular communication: Ventricular wall can be seen in relation to the chambers" or cutaway the top of the atria and look down into the ventricles using Magicut tool. Cut away heart walls and analyze septum alone in rotation.
90-degree crossing of Roman">DORV; using 3D rotation view how VSD is related to pulmonary artery.
Diagnose fetal heart defects in utero, prepare pathologic conditions for treatment at birth.

Gynecology

Exact volume measurement of endometrial hyperplasia (3/4D)
Equivalent hystersonography realization (3D/4D)
Virtual hysteroscopy (3D/4D), using slicing technique
Exact volume measurement of cysts (post-menopausal), polyps, myoma or fibroma.
Exact localization and measurement of ovarian and endometrial tumors
Gynecological tumor monitoring after treatment (chemotherapy): effectiveness
Contrast media use to check tumor vascularization and blood supply
Gynecological contrast media for tumor follow-up (4D)
Contrast media to better evaluate the fallopian tubes (tubal permeability, sterility)
3D placental abnormalities (placenta previa)
3D placenta exact insertion vs inferior segment
IVD and exact positioning

Breast and Small Parts

Accurate 4D biopsy in all 3planes, exact placement of the needle
Breast tumor volume evaluation
Breast tumor treatment monitoring (chemotherapy)
Skin tumor infiltration evaluation
Contrast media use on breast tumors (4D)
3 planes to define margins, i.e., microlobulation, papillomas; and extra information
seen in B, C planes that would otherwise be missed in 2D (A plane).
C plane to view compression vs. retraction patterns of tumors

Urology

Accurate 4D biopsy
Needle visualization in all 3 planes allow exact seed implantation (Brachi therapy)
Evaluation of the prostate parenchyma due to addition of coronal plane
Accurate prostate/urinary bladder volume measurement or/and prostatic/bladder
tumors (adenofibroma, neoplasm, papilloma)
Correct positioning of urinary catheter
Exact assessment of the post-micturitional residue

Internal Medicine

Precise evaluation of acute abdominal syndrome (3D, C-plane): appendix torsion,
ileum sigmoidal fistula, Crohn's disease, endometriosis, recto-sigmoidal fistula,
rectitis, oroctitis
Accurate 4D biopsy (liver, kidney)
Appendicitis with aberrant location (top of the finger-like projection in the pelvic area
or in the meso-colic positioning. 3D, C-plane)
Excellent evaluation of parenchyma/tumor volumes
colic polyps (>to 11 mm) localization in the recto-sigmoidal section (3D, C-plane),
colic tumor infiltration within the wall
Excellent lithiasis localization in the urethra during renal colic (3D, C-plane)
Contrast media use in abdominal tumor (kidney, liver)
Virtual colonoscopy
Excellent evaluation in3D of cholecystitis (Wall thickness evaluation. Lithiasis is
better seen in 3D than in2D)
Abdominal tumor volume follow-up and monitoring in 3D
Tumor location versus vascularization before chemo-embolism (3D/4D)
Obstruction determination in icterus mechanism (3D/4D)

Pediatrics

Orthop edics/Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal biopsy guidance (4D)
Musculoskeletal dynamic examination (4D): rotator-cuff, knee (meniscus positioning),
hip measurement
Intervertebral disc (nucleus) evaluation, degenerative disc desease (3D)
Bone microsplit evaluation (3D)
Broken or fractured patella
Partial tendon separation evaluation (3D)
Tendinitis diagnosis and follow-up (breaking-point risk evaI;1;iation)
Fetal bone-shape abnormalities
Degenerative arthritis (joint disease)
Check-up of bone screw placement

Opthalmology

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist