A new technique that combines saline contrast hysterosonography with three-dimensional surface rendering for the visualization of uterine intracavitary pathologies is described. A total of 32 patients suspected of having uterine cavity pathologies on the basis of previous ultrasonography, hysterosalpingography or hysteroscopy were involved in the study. They were examined by three-dimensional high-frequency endovaginal probes (Combison 530, Kretztechnik, Zipf, Austria), with normal saline used as an expander and contrast medium. Three perpendicular planes could be evaluated simultaneous, and surface renderings were readily available. Following the instillation of normal saline, the uterine cavity appears as an echo-free, well-defined structure, and the endometrium appears as an echogenic homogeneous lining around the cavity. Data acquisition time is short and images can be stored for later evaluation. Surface rendering of polypoid structures shows echogenic masses on a pedicle protruding into the uterine cavity. Submucous fibroids appear as mixed echogenic sites bulging into the cavity. Intrauterine synechiae appear as bands of varying thickness traversing the uterine cavity. Simultaneous display of the zone of interest in three perpendicular planes enhances imaging capabilities, while surface rendering provides a comprehensive overview of the surface area of the findings and their topographical orientation. Further research using this new technique is required to document its real contribution to ultrasonographic imaging.

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Three-dimensional ultrasonography was clearly superior to conventional ultrasonography in the visualization and evaluation of fetal tooth germs. Three-dimensional ultrasonography therefore has a potential for enhanced visualization of fetal tooth germs and may aid in the antenatal detection of syndromes associated with oligodontia or anodontia.

Our objective was to investigate the possible role of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound in the visualization of an intrauterine device (IUD) for routine follow-up after insertion. A total of 96 women were examined after insertion of a TCu380A IUD. Three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging was carried out using a special vaginal probe and a commercially available ultrasound machine at a mean interval of 22 days after insertion. Complete simultaneous imaging of all parts of the IUD was possible in 95% of cases. In the three-plane mode, all parts of the IUD could be visualized in 64% and in a further 30 cases this was possible only after volume rendering. In two women, incomplete opening of the two arms of the device was demonstrated. In one of these cases, the entire IUD was displaced into the cervical canal. In another case, an intrauterine pregnancy was found together with an IUD in the correct position. Three-dimensional ultrasound provides useful information on the location of the IUD following insertion. It enables imaging of the entire IUD, i.e. the shaft and the arms, simultaneously. Additionally, the examination time can be kept to a minimum with this new technique.

The feasibility of TRUS for the assessment of local target extension could be demonstrated. Comparison of the target width and thickness showed a high correlation between TRUS and MRI, indicating the potential of TRUS for target definition in image-guided adaptive brachytherapy.