3d 4D Ultrasonography / Obstetrics

3d 4D Ultrasonography

It is said that the best music on earth is hearing your baby’s heartbeat. With the help of ultrasound now we can not only just hear the baby’s heart sound but also can see its development from embryo till full term.

Why is ultrasonography needed?

To confirm the pregnancy
To establish the gestational age
To confirm the location of the pregnancy and number of gestation
Screening for fetal anatomic abnormalities
Assessment of fetal growth and well being
Assessment of cervical length
Assessment of placental location/ abnormalities of placenta
Diagnose intrauterine growth retardation
Measure the amount of liquor amnii around the fetus

There are two types of ultrasound used in obstetrics

Trans vaginal or Trans abdominal route
2D sonography or 3D-4D sonography

What is TVS/ TransVaginal sonography?

When ultrasound is done through the vaina it is called Trans Vaginal Sonography.It is ideal for obtaining high resolution images of early pregnancy, cervix and adnexa. Patients should void urine prior to the procedure in order for better image quality.

When is it used?

During pregnancy

To calculate gestational age prior to 14 weeks of pregnancy To calculate Nuchal Translucency. (between 11 to 14 weeks)
Calculate the cervical length
Identify low lying placenta
Identify abnormal placentation
Evaluate adnexal structures
To diagnose ectopic pregnancy

For non pregnant state

For any Gynecological ultrasound aTVS gives better outcome and diagnosis.
To detect fibroid its size , number and location.
To diagnose polyp
To detect ovarian cyst and its type
To diagnose any Uterine anomaly.

Why 3D-4D ultrasound?

The Invention of 3D-4D ultrasonography has made dramatic improvement in imaging of pregnancy

Use in pregnancy

Assessment of normal first trimester anatomy
To detect facial abnormalities( cleft palate, lip)
To detect cranial abnormalities
Evaluation of fetal spine for Open Neural Tube defects
Central nervous system abnormalities
Evaluation of fetal heart
To detect limb defect/ abdominal wall defect
Fetal motor and behavioral abnormalities
Conjoined twins assessment

4d scan offers additional advantage of seeing live 3D images and hence mother to baby bondage is increased. It also helps in assessment of fetal neurological behaviour and emotions.