Three-dimensional Ultrasound Technology Research Articles

A case report of serpentine-like syndrome and review of literature

BackgroundSerpentine-like syndrome (SLS) is a rare foetal abnormality, characterized by brachioesophagus, secondary intrathoracic stomach and vertebral deformity. Herein, we report a case of SLS diagnosed based on imaging, genetic examination and autopsy findings.Case presentationFrom the 19th to 23rd weeks of gestation, the foetus presented with brachioesophagus, secondary intrathoracic stomach, intrathoracic spleen with poly-spleen malformation, spinal deformity and diaphragm dysplasia, and some abdominal organs were partly located in the thoracic cavity. After extensive counselling, the couple opted to terminate the pregnancy. Whole genome sequencing and autopsy were performed. Then, the foetus was diagnosed with SLS.Discussion and conclusionsSLS is characterized by multiorgan deformities and is associated with poor prognosis. Multiorgan deformities can be detected on prenatal sonography using three-dimensional ultrasound technology.

Clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasound VOCAL in evaluation of gastric emptying function in children with functional dyspepsia

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasound VOCAL technique in evaluating gastric emptying function in children with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods Seventy-one children with FD who were treated in Wenzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to June 2018 were enrolled as the study subjects (observation group), and 71 normal children without FD were selected as controls (control group). The gastric emptying, antral pyloric systolic contraction frequency and distal gastric contraction movement in different time groups were analyzed, and GET1/2 and 2h gastric residual situation before and after treatment in the observation group were compared. Results The GET1/2 of the observation group was (60.2±12.69)min, and the gastric emptying rate of the observation group was (61.9±12.2)min and (72.0±12.3)min at 90min and 120min, which were significantly better than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (t=19.092, 15.092, 14.882, P=0.016, 0.024, 0.033). The frequency of antral pyloric systolic contraction, gastric antrum contraction frequency and gastric antrum contraction amplitude were (1.1±0.7)times/min, (2.9±0.8)times/min, (1.0±0.6)cm, respectively.Compared with the control group, the differences were statistically significant (t=16.092, 21.224, 8.092, all P<0.05). In the observation group of 71 children: GET1/2 before treatment and after treatment were (68.1±11.8)min, (54.2±9.8)min, respectively.The gastric residual at 2h after treatment was (31.2±8.0)%, (22.1±7.0)%, respectively.The GET1/2 and 2h gastric residual rate of the children were significantly lower than before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (t=18.983, 21.004, all P<0.05). Conclusion Three-dimensional ultrasound VOCAL technology can be used as an evaluation standard for FD in children. Key words: Dyspepsia; Ultrasonography; Three-dimensional ultrasound technology; Gastric emptying

Update in Müllerian anomalies: diagnosis, management, and outcomes

Müllerian anomalies include a fascinating constellation of congenital malformations. There is significant diversity in anatomic variants and their respective long-term sexual and reproductive outcomes. We review the current controversies in classification and management of vaginal, uterine, and fallopian tube anomalies. Comparative trials of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laparoscopic intraoperative evaluation have demonstrated a moderately well correlated prediction of anatomic description. Three-dimensional ultrasound technology appears to be equivalent to MRI in detecting uterine anomalies; however MRI is a consistently superior method of evaluating the vaginal and cervical anatomy. Despite advances in both modalities, care at an experienced center is most highly associated with an accurate preoperative diagnosis and a decrease in the number of inappropriate surgical procedures.Large case series continue to be the main vehicle by which treatment and surgical management of these unique anomalies are described and recommended. Case reports continue to provide information on novel approaches to improve operative techniques. In the absence of prospective studies, these series provide the only emerging information on the long-term sexual and reproductive function of women with vaginal and uterine anomalies. Recent developments in three-dimensional ultrasonography and MRI improve our ability to accurately describe and diagnose female reproductive tract anomalies. With the description of new complex malformations, which do not fall into the recognized American Society of Reproductive Medicine, formerly American Fertility Society (AFS) classification system, questions arise regarding embryologic development upon which this classification system is based and support attempts to devise a new, comprehensive classification. Advances in surgical correction have expanded the options for the reconstructive surgeon when approaching a patient with an anomaly of the reproductive tract.

Three and four-dimensional ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology

Developments in ultrasound in general, but even more so in three-dimensional ultrasound, parallel the growth in computing power and speed of computer technology. It is not surprising, therefore, that three-dimensional ultrasound technology is constantly evolving at a fast pace. The purpose of this article is to provide enhanced diagnostic capabilities for the obstetrical and gynecologic provider. The most recent advances in three-dimensional ultrasound have to do with two main features. First, an increasingly fast acquisition speed, enabling quick sequences of fast moving organs such as the heart to be captured. Second, the increasing number of different display modalities, making understanding and analysis of normal anatomy and pathology easier for clinicians. This article highlights a selected number of clinical situations in which three-dimensional ultrasound meaningfully enhances the contribution of this fast evolving diagnostic imaging tool.