What is a Ultrasound?

Ultrasound scanning is an important clinical tool in providing images of internal fetal anatomy. It is also called sonography because it uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of slices through the body. A transducer or probe which emits ultrasound waves is placed on the skin after coating it with a thin layer of conductive gel, to make sure the waves pass smoothly through the skin. The emitted ultrasound waves are reflected by different structures encountered by the waves. The strength of the reflected waves, and the time they take to return, form the basis for interpreting the information into a visible image. This is performed by computer software

The advantages of ultrasound imaging over other imaging techniques include:
1. Real-time visualization of the fetus or organs.
2. Non-invasive.
3. Doesn’t use ionizing radiation, which has been associated with toxic effects on the embryo.
4. Interactive, enabling the operator to capture different viewing planes by moving the probe.

2D Ultrasound

Traditional ultrasound scanning is 2D, meaning it sends and receives ultrasound waves in just one plane. The reflected waves then provide a flat, black-and-white image of the fetus through that plane. Moving the transducer enables numerous planes of viewing, and when the right plane is achieved, as judged by the image on the monitor, a still film can be developed from the recording. Most of the detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy and morphology so far has been done using 2D ultrasound.

3D Ultrasound

Further development of ultrasound technology led to the acquisition of volume data, i.e., slightly differing 2D images caused by reflected waves which are at slightly different angles to each other. These are then integrated by high-speed computing software. This provides a 3-dimensional image. The technology behind 3D ultrasound thus has to deal with image volume data acquisition, volume data analysis and finally volume display.

4d Ultrasound

3D imaging allows fetal structures and internal anatomy to be visualized as static 3D images. However, 4D ultrasound allows us to add live streaming video of the images, showing the motion of the fetal heart wall or valves, or blood flow in various vessels. It is thus 3D ultrasound in live motion. It uses either a 2D transducer which rapidly acquires 20-30 volumes or a matrix array 3D transducer is used.
4D ultrasound has the same advantages as 3D, while also allowing us to study the motion of various moving organs of the body. Its clinical applications are still being studied. At present it is mostly used to provide fetal keepsake videos, a use which is discouraged by most medical watchdog sites.

Advantages

• 1.The use of virtual planes helps in better visualization of fetal heart structures by allowing views not attainable by 2D imaging, possibly adding a 6% chance of detecting defects.
• 2.Diagnosis of fetal face defects like cleft lip.
• 3.Diagnosis of fetal skeletal or neural tube defects.
• 4.Less time for standard plane visualization.
• 5.Less dependent on operator skill and experience for diagnosis of common fetal anomalies.
• 6.The recorded volume data can be made available for remote expert review for better diagnosis.