ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series was to determine whether the use of different 3-dimensional (3D) sonographic modes allows better definition of umbilical cord cysts and pseudocysts in utero. METHODS: Two cases of umbilical cord cysts and 1 of a pseudocyst were analyzed and compared with 2-dimensional (2D), 3D, angiopower Doppler, tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), and automatic volume calculation (AVC) sonographic modes. All cases were followed during pregnancy. A karyotype analysis was also obtained. RESULTS: Three-dimensional sonography, TUI, and VOCAL allowed clear visualization and evaluation of the sizes, locations, and numbers of umbilical cord cysts. A clear differentiation between a pseudocyst and the yolk sac was obtained with AVC and angiopower Doppler sonography. The 3D sonographic surface mode allowed better visualization of other accompanying fetal malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional sonography allows for a more accurate diagnosis and provides a clearer visualization of malformations than 2D imaging. Cysts and pseudocysts can be defined much more accurately by using the different modes described here.
