Four‐dimensional volume‐rendered imaging of the fetal ventricular outflow tracts and great arteries using inversion mode for detection of congenital heart disease

Abstract

4D ultrasound in the inversion mode provides a means of evaluating fetal cardiac outflow tracts in 3D in real time. This technique may assist in the evaluation of spatial relationships between the great vessels and both ventricles, and the difference in the size of great vessels. Moreover, the inversion mode images should be more readily discernible than those obtained by conventional ultrasonography. 4D ultrasound in the inversion mode may be an important modality in future fetal cardiac research and in the evaluation of fetal congenital heart disease.

Three- and four-dimensional volume-rendered imaging of situs inversus totalis with inversion mode

“…Therefore, the 3D/4D inversion mode facilitates the visualization of the relationships and size of the fluid collections, thus helping the sonographer to more effectively understand the spatial relationships between fluid-filled structures [4]. In the present case, the 3D/4D inversion mode was an adjunctive tool to assist in the prenatal understanding of situs inversus with dextrocardia, although conventional 2D sonography can actually suggest the diagnosis.The utility of 3D/4D sonography with an inversion mode in the antenatal diagnosis of fetal cardiac anomalies has been described in several reports [5][6][7][8]. In those investigations, 4D sonography with an inversion mode demonstrated real-time 3D angiographic features of fetal cardiac outflow tracts in both normal and abnormal fetal…”

“…The utility of 3D/4D sonography with an inversion mode in the antenatal diagnosis of fetal cardiac anomalies has been described in several reports [5][6][7][8]. In those investigations, 4D sonography with an inversion mode demonstrated real-time 3D angiographic features of fetal cardiac outflow tracts in both normal and abnormal fetal…”

“…In those investigations, 4D sonography with an inversion mode demonstrated real-time 3D angiographic features of fetal cardiac outflow tracts in both normal and abnormal fetal hearts [8]. This technique assisted in the evaluation of spatial relationships between the great vessels and both ventricles, and 3D/4D inversion mode images are more readily discernible than those obtained by conventional 2D sonography.…”

“…In our case, the 3D/4D inversion mode facilitated the visualization of mirror-image right-sided normal cardiac structures. Moreover, the 3D/4D inversion mode may be easier for less-experienced sonographers to learn and make a diagnosis [8]. …”

Fetal Echocardiography and Prenatal Cardiovascular Interventions – An Update (2012)

“…Although the mainstay of our field applied routinely in practice has been that of high-resolution two-dimensional imaging with harmonic capabilities and Doppler interrogation of blood flow, several newer modalities promise to optimize our investigation of the fetal heart in the future. These include tissue Doppler and speckle tracking applications that define subtle abnormalities of heart rhythm and function [1][2][3][4], and 3 and 4 dimensional imaging which potentially enhances detection and definition of structural cardiac pathology and assists in the evaluation of functional abnormalities [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”