Abstract
Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using free-hand three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography to evaluate the volume of the fetal stomach. Material and methods: We studied a total of 108 normal singleton fetuses from 13 to 42 gestational weeks. During 2D ultrasonographic examination three-dimensional upper abdomen data were collected prospectively. The stomach was scanned with a fanning motion of the transducer in the axial plane, nearly parallel to the conventional abdominal circumference plane. 3D volume segmentation processing of the stomach was performed and saved in different files. Stomach volume was calculated. Results: In almost all cases in which the stomach was visualized it was possible to calculate structure volume. There was considerable volume variation during the range of gestational ages studied. This preliminary study would have to be expanded to construct nomograms of stomach dimensions. Conclusion: 3D echocardiography can provide estimates of fluid filled fetal organs’ volumes and can be used for nomogram construction.
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