Three-dimensional Ultrasound Study Of Fetal Brain Volume

ObjectiveTo define details in three-dimensional sonographic measurement of fetal brain volume, and to verify the reliability of this methods. To construct a preliminary reference of normal fetal brain volume in Chinese population.Methods257 singleton fetuses ranged between 16 and 37 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study.The details in calculation were defined first, including the acquisition of the scan, the borders of the fetal head, and the views used to measurement.In a subgroup of 25 fetuses, the intra-and interobserver reliability was calculated for the VOCAL and multiplanar techniques.VOCAL technique was used to calculate fetal volumes of all enrolled fetuses. Pearson's correlation coefficient, curve estimation and polynomial regression models was used to evaluate the correlation between fetal brain volume and gestational age (GA), biparietal diameter(BPD), head circumference(HC).Results1. Using the defined methods, the intraclass correlation coefficient for the measurements using multiplanar and VOCAL technique was 0.998. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability for multiplanar technique was 0.999 and 1.0. For VOCAL technique, the reliability was 0.998 and 1.0.2.Using GA as the independent variable and the BV as the dependent variable, the best fit regressing equation was BV(mL)=e(8.284-83.942/GA).The Pearson's correlation coefficient between fetal brain volume and gestational age (GA), BPD, and HC was 0.991,0.993, and 0.997, respectively. Conclusions1. Using the defined methods, the fetal brain volume measurements using three dimensional ultrasound had an excellent reliability.2. The fetal brain volume was highly correlated with GA, BPD and HC. ObjectiveTo investigate the reliability of three-dimensional ultrasound in measurement fetal cerebellar volumes, and to construct a preliminary reference of normal fetal cerebellar volume in Chinese population.Methods253 singleton fetuses ranged between 16 and 37 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study.The quality of the cerebellar blocks was effect by the artifacts caused by bones. The quality of the blocks was defined according to the number of views that had a clear outline. Only fetal cerebellar blocks that received 4,5 and 6 were enrolled. The correlation between the angle in block acquisition and the quality was analysis.In a subgroup of 25 fetuses, the intra-and interobserver reliability was calculated for the VOCAL techniques.Curve estimation and polynomial regression models were used to assess the correlation between fetal brain volume and gestational age (GA), transverse cerebellar diameter(TCD).Results1. The quality of the cerebellar blocks was highly correlated with the angle of block acquisition. The difference of the angle in block acquisition was remarkable between the quality 4 and quality 5,6(P=0.000,P=0.000).2.Using the defined methods, the interobserver and intraobserver reliability for VOCAL technique was 0.996 and 0.997,respectively.3.Using GA as the independent variable and the cerebellar volume as the dependent variable, the best fit regressing equation was cerebellar volume=e(-12.615)×AG4.365. Conclusions1.The quality of the cerebellar blocks was highly correlated with the angle of block acquisition.2.Using the defined methods, the fetal cerebellar volume measurements using three-dimensional ultrasound had an excellent reliability.3.The fetal cerebellar volume was highly correlated with GA,TCD.