No abstract

Although three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) was already being used in the early 1980's 1-3 and the first commercially available three-dimensional scanner was presented in 1989 in Paris at the International Radiology Congress 4 , it has only been in the recent decade that the technology has found its way into clinical applications. This rapid development is mainly due to the equally rapid development of computer processor technology, essential for three-dimensional ultrasound. Originally used as a tool for creating a surface mode showing the face of the fetus and gender abnormalities, its application has become much broader nowadays. The technique is now becoming ever more important in obstetrics and gynecology, but also in many other fields such as cardiology, surgical applications and urology. Three-dimensional ultrasound is an easy, quick and cheap imaging technique without any known adverse effects on the mother or developing fetus as has been stated by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). In addition, it has been reported by numerous authors to be very accurate in assessing volumes 5-9 . Recently, it has been suggested that both two-and three-dimensional ultrasound, especially in the 1st and 2nd trimester, are of positive influence in initiating the bonding between mother and infant 10 .Although the technique of 3DUS is relatively recent, its clinical importance has already been established in prenatal diagnosis and is likely to continue to increase. This review will provide an overview of the current applications of 3DUS in prenatal diagnosis. The applications will be discussed by subject. The fetal heart is briefly mentioned, since clinical applications of 3DUS studies of the heart are sparse and the new four dimensional ultrasound technologies, such as STIC (spatial temporal correlated imaging) are beyond the subject of this review. GESTATIONAL SACThe gestational sac (GS) is regarded as a reflection of the early uteroplacental unit function and 3DUS volumetry is suggested to have some predictive value for adverse