Two kinds of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of fetal malformations

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the value of three-dimensional ultrasound (3-DUS) surface mode imaging and tomography ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the diagnosis of fetal malformations.Methods A total of 1190 fetuses were examined by TUI and 3-DUS surface mode imaging.Results The incidence of malformed fetuses was 4.37% (52/1190) in our study group.Of the 52 malformed fetuses,97.14% (34/35) of those with surface malformations and 25.53% (4/17) of those with internal malformations were found by 3-DUS surface mode imaging;in comparison,37.14% (13/35) of those with surface malformations and 100.00% (17/17) of those with internal malformations were revealed by TUI.The sensitivities of 3-DUS surface mode imaging,TUI and combination of TUI with 3-DUS surface mode imaging in diagnosing fetal malformations were 73.1 %,57.7 % and 100%,and their specificities were 99.1%,98.7% and 99.9%,respectively.Conclusion Fetal surface structures were displayed mainly by 3-DUS surface mode imaging,while internal structures chiefly by TUI.The complementation of TUI and 3-DUS surface mode imaging would help to improve the detection of fetal malformations.