Three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging of the neonatal brain in high-risk neonates: preliminary study

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 19; no. 8; pp. 549 - 555
• Main Authors: Salerno, C. C, Pretorius, D. H, Hilton, S. W, O'Boyle, M. K, Hull, A. D, James, G. M, Riccabona, M, Mannino, F, Craft, A, Nelson, T. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Laurel, MD Am inst Ulrrasound Med 01-08-2000; American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - abnormalities; Brain Diseases - congenital; Brain Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Hemorrhage - congenital; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging; Cysts - congenital; Cysts - diagnostic imaging; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Echoencephalography; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hydrocephalus - diagnostic imaging; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Intensive care units; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Male; Maternal, fetal and perinatal monitoring; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Neonatal monitoring; Neurophysiology; Risk Factors; Sensitivity and Specificity; Visualization; Sonography; Human; Two dimensional system; Central nervous system; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Image quality; Newborn; Surveillance; Echography; Three dimensional system; Medical imagery; Diagnosis; Computer aid; Comparative study; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2000.19.8.549

The aim of this investigation was to compare the utility of three‐dimensional ultrasonography versus two‐dimensional ultrasonography in imaging the neonatal brain. Thirty patients in the neonatal intensive care unit underwent two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional ultrasonography. The resultant two‐ and three‐dimensional images recorded on film and three‐dimensional volumes (reviewed on a workstation) were evaluated independently. Comparable numbers of normal and abnormal studies were diagnosed by each modality. Axial images were considered useful in approximately 50% of three‐dimensional cases. Image quality, overall and in the far‐field, was rated higher on two‐dimensional images. Three‐dimensional sonographic acquisition time in the neonatal intensive care unit (1.7 min+/‐0.7 standard deviation) was significantly shorter than that for two‐dimensional sonography (9.0+/‐4.5 min). The total time for evaluation on the three‐dimensional workstation (4.4+/‐1.1 min) was significantly less than that for two‐dimensional images on film (10.6+/‐4.7 min). In conclusion, three‐dimensional ultrasonography is a promising, diagnostically accurate, and efficient imaging tool for evaluation of the neonatal brain; however, visualization must improve before it can replace two‐dimensional ultrasonography.