Three dimensional (3D) ultrasound aids the search for fetal anomalies

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 321
Author(s):  
C WEINER
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Hata

ABSTRACT We present a series of images of different fetal intracranial, intrathoracic and intra-abdominal anomalies reconstructed using HDlive. It is a novel three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound modality that can provide the operator with naturally realistic features of any fetal anomalies. HDlive and its inversion mode are applied in several cases and two-dimensional (2D) sonographic images of different anomalies are also presented clearly to compare the advantages of HDlive in this article. This review focuses on the role of HDlive in the presence of such anomalies. HDlive should be a very useful aid in adjunct to other ultrasound modalities, specifically in cases that warrant detailed information. It can also be useful for the antenatal surveillance of anomalies, such as cystic lesions that may progress to complications. This innovative tool offers many promising advantages in clinical practice and future research on fetal anomalies. How to cite this article Cajusay-Velasco S, Hata T. HDlive in the Assessment of Fetal Intracranial, Intrathoracic and Intraabdominal Anomalies. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014;8(4):362-375.


Author(s):  
Ritsuko K Pooh

ABSTRACT In the history of 3D/4D ultrasound technology, the great achievement was high definition (HD) live technology. This technology is a novel ultrasound technique that improves the 3D/4D images. HDlive ultrasound has resulted in remarkable progress in visualization of early embryos and fetuses and in the development of sonoembryology. HDlive uses an adjustable light source and software that calculates the propagation of light through surface structures in relation to the light direction. The virtual light source produces selective illumination, and the respective shadows are created by the structures where the light is reflected. This combination of light and shadows increases depth perception and produces remarkable images that are more natural than those obtained with classic three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. The virtual light can be placed in the front, back, or lateral sides, where viewing is desired until the best image is achieved. A great advantage is that the soft can be applied to all images stored in the machine's memory. With HDlive ultrasound, both structural and functional developments can be assessed from early pregnancy more objectively and reliably and, indeed, the new technology has moved embryology from postmortem studies to the in vivo environment. Practically, in obstetrical ultrasound, HDlive could be used during all three trimesters of pregnancy. How to cite this article Pooh RK, Kurjak A. Three-dimensional Ultrasound in Detection of Fetal Anomalies. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(3):214-234.


Author(s):  
Valeria Vendries ◽  
Tamas Ungi ◽  
Jordan Harry ◽  
Manuela Kunz ◽  
Jana Podlipská ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Osteophytes are common radiographic markers of osteoarthritis. However, they are not accurately depicted using conventional imaging, thus hampering surgical interventions that rely on pre-operative images. Studies have shown that ultrasound (US) is promising at detecting osteophytes and monitoring the progression of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound reconstructions may offer a means to quantify osteophytes. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of osteophyte depiction in the knee joint between 3D US and conventional computed tomography (CT). Methods Eleven human cadaveric knees were pre-screened for the presence of osteophytes. Three osteoarthritic knees were selected, and then, 3D US and CT images were obtained, segmented, and digitally reconstructed in 3D. After dissection, high-resolution structured light scanner (SLS) images of the joint surfaces were obtained. Surface matching and root mean square (RMS) error analyses of surface distances were performed to assess the accuracy of each modality in capturing osteophytes. The RMS errors were compared between 3D US, CT and SLS models. Results Average RMS error comparisons for 3D US versus SLS and CT versus SLS models were 0.87 mm ± 0.33 mm (average ± standard deviation) and 0.95 mm ± 0.32 mm, respectively. No statistical difference was found between 3D US and CT. Comparative observations of imaging modalities suggested that 3D US better depicted osteophytes with cartilage and fibrocartilage tissue characteristics compared to CT. Conclusion Using 3D US can improve the depiction of osteophytes with a cartilaginous portion compared to CT. It can also provide useful information about the presence and extent of osteophytes. Whilst algorithm improvements for automatic segmentation and registration of US are needed to provide a more robust investigation of osteophyte depiction accuracy, this investigation puts forward the potential application for 3D US in routine diagnostic evaluations and pre-operative planning of osteoarthritis.


Author(s):  
Fabio Barra ◽  
Franco Alessandri ◽  
Carolina Scala ◽  
Simone Ferrero

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The use of three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) has been investigated for the diagnosis of deep endometriosis (DE). This study aimed to evaluate if 3D reconstructions improve the performance of TVS) in assessing the presence and characteristics of bladder endometriosis (BE). <b><i>Design:</i></b> This was a single-center comparative diagnostic accuracy study. <b><i>Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods:</i></b> Patients referred to our institution (Piazza della Vittoria 14 Srl, Genova, Italy) with clinical suspicion of DE were included. In case of surgery, women underwent systematic preoperative ultrasonographic imaging; an experienced sonographer performed a conventional TVS; another experienced sonographer, blinded to results of the previous exam, performed TVS, with the addition of 3D modality. The presence and characteristics of BE nodules were described in accord with International DE Analysis group consensus. Ultrasound data were compared with surgical and histological results. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, BE was intraoperatively found in 34 out of 194 women who underwent surgery for DE (17.5%; 95% confidence interval: 12.8–23.5%). TVS without and with 3D reconstructions were able to detect endometriotic BE in 82.2% (<i>n</i> = 28/34) and 85.3% (<i>n</i> = 29/34) of the cases (<i>p</i> = 0.125). Both the exams similarly estimated the largest diameter of BE (<i>p</i> = 0.652) and the distance between the endometriotic nodule and the closest ureteral meatus (<i>p</i> = 0.341). However, TVS with 3D reconstructions was more precise in estimating the volume of BE (<i>p</i> = 0.031). In one case (2.9%), TVS without and with 3D reconstructions detected the infiltration of the intramural ureter, which was confirmed at surgery and required laparoscopic ureterovesical reimplantation. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> The extensive experience of the gynecologists performing the ultrasonographic scans, the lack of prestudy power analysis, and the population selected, which may have been influenced by the position of the institution as a referral center specialized in the treatment of severe endometriosis, are limitations of the current study. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results demonstrated the high accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosing BE. The addition of 3D reconstructions does not improve the performance of TVS in diagnosing the presence and characteristics of BE. However, the volume of BE may be more precisely assessed by 3D ultrasound.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2858
Author(s):  
Kelly Ka-Lee Lai ◽  
Timothy Tin-Yan Lee ◽  
Michael Ka-Shing Lee ◽  
Joseph Chi-Ho Hui ◽  
Yong-Ping Zheng

To diagnose scoliosis, the standing radiograph with Cobb’s method is the gold standard for clinical practice. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging, which is radiation-free and inexpensive, has been demonstrated to be reliable for the assessment of scoliosis and validated by several groups. A portable 3D ultrasound system for scoliosis assessment is very much demanded, as it can further extend its potential applications for scoliosis screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment outcome measurement, and progress prediction. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of a newly developed portable 3D ultrasound imaging system, Scolioscan Air, for scoliosis assessment using coronal images it generated. The system was comprised of a handheld probe and tablet PC linking with a USB cable, and the probe further included a palm-sized ultrasound module together with a low-profile optical spatial sensor. A plastic phantom with three different angle structures built-in was used to evaluate the accuracy of measurement by positioning in 10 different orientations. Then, 19 volunteers with scoliosis (13F and 6M; Age: 13.6 ± 3.2 years) with different severity of scoliosis were assessed. Each subject underwent scanning by a commercially available 3D ultrasound imaging system, Scolioscan, and the portable 3D ultrasound imaging system, with the same posture on the same date. The spinal process angles (SPA) were measured in the coronal images formed by both systems and compared with each other. The angle phantom measurement showed the measured angles well agreed with the designed values, 59.7 ± 2.9 vs. 60 degrees, 40.8 ± 1.9 vs. 40 degrees, and 20.9 ± 2.1 vs. 20 degrees. For the subject tests, results demonstrated that there was a very good agreement between the angles obtained by the two systems, with a strong correlation (R2 = 0.78) for the 29 curves measured. The absolute difference between the two data sets was 2.9 ± 1.8 degrees. In addition, there was a small mean difference of 1.2 degrees, and the differences were symmetrically distributed around the mean difference according to the Bland–Altman test. Scolioscan Air was sufficiently comparable to Scolioscan in scoliosis assessment, overcoming the space limitation of Scolioscan and thus providing wider applications. Further studies involving a larger number of subjects are worthwhile to demonstrate its potential clinical values for the management of scoliosis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitham A. Torky ◽  
Asem A. Moussa ◽  
Ali M. Ahmad ◽  
Osama Dief ◽  
Manar A. Eldesoouky ◽  
...  

AbstractAim of work:To determine whether fetal volume (FV) measured by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound was able to detect fetuses at risk of low birth weight (primary outcome) and/or preterm labor (secondary outcome).Methods:One hundred pregnant women carrying a singleton living pregnancy who were sure of dates, and had a dating scan, with gestational age between 11 weeks and 13 weeks+6 days coming for routine first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) were examined by both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D ultrasound (Vocal System) for crown-rump length (CRL) and FV then followed up regularly every 4 weeks until 28 weeks then biweekly until 36 weeks then weekly until delivery both clinically and by ultrasound biometry.Findings:Eighty-seven cases had a normal outcome, while the remaining 13 cases had either preterm labor (four cases) or low-birth weight (nine cases). FV positively correlated with CRL (P=0.026), gestational age in weeks (P=0.002), neonatal body weight in grams (P=0.018) and neonatal body length at birth (P=0.04). A mean FV of 8.3 mmConclusion:3D assessment of FV in the first trimester provides an accurate method for predicting pregnancy outcome namely low birth weight and neonatal complications, however, it is a better positive predictor than a negative one.


Author(s):  
D. E. O. Dewi ◽  
T. L. R. Mengko ◽  
I. K. E. Purnama ◽  
A. G. Veldhuizen ◽  
M. H. F. Wilkinson

Hole-filling in ultrasound volume reconstruction using freehand three-dimensional ultrasound estimates the values for empty voxels from the unallocated voxels in the Bin-filling process due to inadequate sampling in the acquisition process. Olympic operator, as a neighbourhood averaging filter, can be used to estimate the empty voxel. However, this method needs improvement to generate a closer estimation of the empty voxels. In this paper, the authors propose an improved Olympic operator for the Hole-filling algorithm, and apply it to generate the volume in a 3D ultrasound reconstruction of the spine. The conventional Olympic operator defines the empty voxels by sorting the neighbouring voxels, removing the n% of the upper and lower values, and averaging them to attain the value to fill the empty voxels. The empty voxel estimation can be improved by thresholding the range width of its neighbouring voxels and adjusting it to the average values. The method is tested on a hole-manipulated volume derived from a cropped 3D ultrasound volume of a part of the spine. The MAE calculation on the proposed technique shows improved result compared to all tested existing methods.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. O. Dewi ◽  
T. L. R. Mengko ◽  
I. K. E. Purnama ◽  
A. G. Veldhuizen ◽  
M. H. F. Wilkinson

Hole-filling in ultrasound volume reconstruction using freehand three-dimensional ultrasound estimates the values for empty voxels from the unallocated voxels in the Bin-filling process due to inadequate sampling in the acquisition process. Olympic operator, as a neighbourhood averaging filter, can be used to estimate the empty voxel. However, this method needs improvement to generate a closer estimation of the empty voxels. In this paper, the authors propose an improved Olympic operator for the Hole-filling algorithm, and apply it to generate the volume in a 3D ultrasound reconstruction of the spine. The conventional Olympic operator defines the empty voxels by sorting the neighbouring voxels, removing the n% of the upper and lower values, and averaging them to attain the value to fill the empty voxels. The empty voxel estimation can be improved by thresholding the range width of its neighbouring voxels and adjusting it to the average values. The method is tested on a hole-manipulated volume derived from a cropped 3D ultrasound volume of a part of the spine. The MAE calculation on the proposed technique shows improved result compared to all tested existing methods.


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