Three-dimensional Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Posterior Fossa

JOURNAL TITLE: Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Author
1. Ebru Tarım
2. Cihat Sen
ISSN
0973-614X
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1607
Volume
13
Issue
4
Publishing Year
2019
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Perinatology, Ebru Tarim Clinic, Adana, Turkey
    1. University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical School, E-mail: csen@obusg.org.tr,csen@perinatology.org.tr
    2. University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
    3. Cerrahpasa Medical School University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
    4. Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Turkey
    5. Cerrahpasa Medical School, University of Istanbul and Perinatal Medicine Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey
    6. Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
    7. University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Perinatal Medicine Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey
    8. Memorial Hospital, Perinatal Medicine Center, Bahçelievler-Istanbul, Turkey
    9. Perinatal Medicine Center, Memorial Hospital-BAH, Istanbul, Turkey, Perinatal Medicine Foundation, Istanbul, Turkey
    10. Perinatal Medicine Center, Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, Perinatal Medicine Foundation, Istanbul, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul, University, Turkey
  • Article keywords
    Congenital malformations, Fetal posterior fossa, Three-dimensional ultrasonography.

    Abstract

    Posterior fossa malformations can be considered as very frequent brain anomalies. Irrespective of the rapid development of fetal imaging, the frequency of both false-negative and false-positive diagnoses of posterior fossa anomalies did not change, making the diagnosis difficult. Fetal posterior fossa abnormalities may be broadly divided into hindbrain malformations, including diseases with cerebellar or vermian agenesis, aplasia or hypoplasia, and cystic posterior fossa anomalies, and cranial vault malformations or Chiari malformations. Categorization of posterior fossa anomalies is still controversial and there is no uniform approach. Multidimensional mode in fetal neurosonography by 3D probes has several advantages over standard 2D probes. Unlimited offline analysis by using three orthogonal planes of the fetal brain, tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and volume contrast imaging (VCI) may be obtained by a single 3D acquired data. These neuroimaging modes allow obtaining more precise information on fetal posterior fossa and the results are comparable to those obtained with fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three-dimensional ultrasonography is an invaluable instrument for differential diagnosis of posterior fossa anomalies. Transabdominal or transvaginal 3D ultrasonography allows thorough assessment of the complex anatomic structures of the posterior fossa and improves diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic confidence having a positive clinical effect in most of the cases.

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