Renal Volumes Measured by 3-Dimensional Sonography in Healthy Fetuses From 20 to 40 Weeks

Abstract

Reference values for right and left fetal kidney volumes throughout gestation using the rotational technique (VOCAL) are described. The use of this technique might aid in further definition of gestational age kidney volume standards to help in defining variations from the norm.

Role of 3-D Ultrasound in Clinical Obstetric Practice: Evolution Over 20 Years

“…The same results (4.0 cm 3 at 20 wk to 44.9 cm 3 at 40 wk) were reported by Yoshizaki et al (2013). Chang et al (2003) observed that fetal liver volume assessed by 2-DUS (craniocaudal 3 anteroposterior and laterolateral 3 0.42) was significantly smaller than the volume determined by 3-DUS (multiplanar method).…”

Intraexaminer and Interexaminer Variability in 3D Fetal Volume Measurements During the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy

“…For placental volumes, the sweep angle of the ultrasound transducer was adjusted to a maximum of 85° to ensure that the whole placenta could be captured in its entirety in a single 3D sweep . For kidney volume acquisition, a coronal section of the fetal kidney with the organ proximal to the transducer and distal to the fetal vertebral column (to avoid acoustic shadowing) was identified by 2D sonography, and the volume box was adjusted accordingly to scan the entire kidney . Sweep angles were adjusted from 30° to 60° for fetal kidneys and from 65° to 85° for acquisition of fetal head and thigh images depending on gestation.…”

“…Sweep angles were adjusted from 30° to 60° for fetal kidneys and from 65° to 85° for acquisition of fetal head and thigh images depending on gestation. The justification for using 30° for VOCAL rotational slices was largely based on previous literature that revolved around the use of this method and that showed good reliability . This method also has the advantage of being more time efficient and applicable in all 3D sonographic equipment, therefore increasing potential transferability into clinical practice …”

“…Sonographic volume calculations have now been described in a variety of fetal organs and structures . In most cases, they are achieved by manual organ segmentation using 1 of 2 methods: the multiple–parallel‐plane method (multiplanar) or rotational Virtual Organ computer‐aided analysis (VOCAL; GE Healthcare, Zipf, Austria) .…”

Analysis of renal blood flow and renal volume in normal fetuses and in fetuses with a solitary functioning kidney

“…By contrast, the assessment of renal volume by 2D ultrasonography, considering the fetal kidney as a perfect ellipsoid, leads to an underestimation of the real renal volume by an average of 24% . Currently, 3 reports have been published on fetal renal volume calculation by 3D ultrasonography using the multiplanar method and 2 reports—using the VOCAL—technology . However, it remains unclear whether 3D kidney volume measurements are preferential compared with calculations based on 2D ultrasound.…”