The Role of 2D and 3D Ultrasound in Evaluation of Fetal Gastrointestinal Anomalies

Abstract

Aim:To evaluate the role of second mid-trimester ultrasound in prenatal detection of gastrointestinal (GI) fetal anomalies and compare the ultrasonographic findings with postnatal diagnosis. Materials and methods:A 5-year retrospective study included 16,334 neonates delivered at a tertiary referral center. All neo nates were evaluated by a second midtrimester 2D ultrasound fetal anatomy scan. Patients with abnormal findings on 2D scan were also examined by 3D ultrasound. Postnatally confirmed GI anomalies were compared with prenatal ultrasound assessment of two sections of fetal abdomen which had analyzed the presence, size and position of the stomach, umbilical cord insertion and have assessed the amniotic fluid index (AFI). Results:Prenatal ultrasound revealed 28 out of 38 fetal GI anomalies (73.6%). All GI anomalies initially diagnosed with 2D ultrasound were confirmed by 3D ultrasound. The major advantage of multiplanar imaging was more comprehensive anatomical information about GI anomalies. Surface rendering provided additional information in evaluating fetuses with anterior abdominal wall defects. Conclusion:Our data indicate that standard planes obtained by 2D ultrasound can rule out a majority of fetal GI anomalies. Assessment of AFI should be an integral part of prenatal ultrasound scan in detection of GI anomalies, particularly in GI obstruction.

Role of 3D /4D Ultrasound and Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the evaluation of various fetal anamolies in First and second trimester

“…Sensitivity & Specificity of 3D sonography was found to be 100 % whereas that of fetal MRI was also 100 % . A retrospective study over a period of 5 years done by Milan Stanojevic et al, in 2014 (14)concluded that 3D Ultrasound provides equivalent information to 2DUS in 45%, additional information in 51% of fetal anomalies and disadvantageous in 4%. Cohen overbeek, in his study on 91 cases showed 28(30.7%) cases of duodenal obstruction were detected prenatally (10) .…”