3-D and 4-D Ultrasound

3-D ultrasonography (3DUS) is an advanced imaging technology that allows doctors to evaluate fetuses in ways that are not possible using conventional 2-D ultrasound. More powerful computers have also permitted the application of these techniques to the heart and moving fetus through 4-D ultrasonography (4DUS).

Although patients may already be familiar with the appearance of a 3-D rendered fetal face, there are several ways that 3DUS and 4DUS can be used to evaluate certain types of high-risk problems:

• genetic syndromes
• under-developed jaw (i.e. micrognathia)
• brain anomalies
• chest masses
• complex congenital heart disease
• skeletal anomalies (e.g. dwarfism)
• estimated fetal weight
• placental anomalies (e.g. vasa previa)

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