Three dimensional fetal heart structure study in fetal heart by sono-automatic volume count with spatio-temporal image correlation / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate three dimensional fetal heart structure by sono-automatic volume count (SonoAVC) with spatio-temporal image correlation(STIC). Methods The heart volumes datas were acquired by STIC in 32 fetuses with postnatally confirmed diagnoses(20 cases of normal heart, 12 cases of complex congenital heart disease between 20 - 37 gestional weeks), then the volume datas were analyzed offline. SonoAVC software automaticly searched hypoechoic and anechoic structures, and assigned individual colors,and this can be corrected by manual splitting and/or removing and merging of individual segments.Results Individual segments of fetal heat could be separated,and digital casts were generated. The digital casts were obtained successfully in 4cases of transposition of the great arteries(TGA) ,2 cases of tetralogy of Follot,1 case of Ebstein's anomaly, 1 case of double-outlet right ventricle and 20 cases of normal heart.Conclusions Combination of STIC and SonoAVC can demonstrate the size, shape and connection of fetal cardiac cavities and great arteries in three dimensional spatial context. It has the potential both to help in obtaining strctural diagnostic,and to generate 3D visual displays for consultation and teaching.