Pavol Rozprávka, Ladislav Rosocha, Tatiana Macková
Objective: The aim of this retrospective comparative study was to compare some aspects of routine use of three/four-dimensional virtual sonography with conventional two-dimensional sonography in the second trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Volume data were obtained by a standard 3/4D and 2D projection of the foetus with the use of ultrasound machines Accuvix XQ or Volusone 730 E. On each examination the complete analysis of foetal anatomy was made according to the proposed table protocol in the period between 13 weeks and 26 weeks gestation. Results: The complex overview of foetal anatomy was obtained by a 3/4D module in 96.5 % of cases in comparison with 2D conventional sonography only in 90.7 % of cases (p < 0.001). The mean time per examination for the 2D cohort was 12.6 ± 2.4 minutes (SD) and for the 3/4D cohort was 7.2 ± 1.4 minutes. Conclusion: 3/4D virtual sonography is fast method of foetal visualising in the second trimester of pregnancy and is considered to be a significant enhancement of conventional 2D sonography with the priority of detecting the foetal surface anomalies particularly defects of the face, anterior abdominal wall and vertebral column.