Tomographic Ultrasound Imaging Research Articles

OP35.09: The role of spatio‐temporal image correlation (STIC) with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the prenatal diagnosis of conotruncal defects

OP35.09: The role of spatio‐temporal image correlation (STIC) with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) in the prenatal diagnosis of conotruncal defects

Can we identify the limits of the puborectalis/pubovisceralis muscle on tomographic translabial ultrasound?

In order to determine the relative locations of puborectalis/pubovisceralis (PR/PV) and iliococcygeus (IC) muscles, we undertook an analysis of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound datasets obtained after suburethral sling placement. This was a retrospective analysis of ultrasound volume data obtained in 110 women after undergoing the Monarc suburethral sling procedure. Tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) was performed with eight slices in the axial plane, from 5 mm below to 12.5 mm above the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions. Hyperechogenic tape material was rated as absent, present or as producing an anechoic acoustic shadow overlying the muscle in each slice. Slices 7 and 8 virtually always showed evidence of the implant or its acoustic shadow on the pelvic sidewall (98% for slice 8 and 96% for slice 7), suggesting that these slices are located at the level of the obturator foramen. This implies that these slices do not generally contain PR/PV muscle, but rather IC muscle. On standardized tomographic imaging of the levator hiatus and muscle, slices located ≥ 1 cm over the plane of minimal dimensions are very likely to contain IC muscle rather than PR/PV muscle.

Prenatal Neurologic Anomalies

The low prevalence of fetal CNS anomalies results in a restricted level of exposure to, and limited experience for most obstetricians involved in, prenatal ultrasound. Sonographic guidelines for screening the fetal brain in a systematic way may increase the detection rate of fetal CNS anomalies, thus promoting correct referral to tertiary care centers offering patients a multidisciplinary approach to the condition. The aim of this review is to elaborate on the prenatal sonographic diagnosis and outcome of various CNS malformations. Detailed neurosonographic investigation has become available through high-resolution vaginal ultrasound probes and the development of a variety of 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound modalities, such as ultrasound tomographic imaging. In addition, fetal magnetic resonance imaging is particularly helpful in the detection of gyration and neurulation anomalies, and disorders of the gray and white matter. Isolated mild ventriculomegaly is a rather common finding with good overall outcome. With an increasing diameter of the atria, however, and especially with the presence of associated malformations, long-term neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcome is disturbed in about 15% or more of cases. In view of recent developments in fetal therapy for neural tube defects, there is a clear need for a high level of ultrasound screening, work-up and counseling in tertiary care centers to identify those cases that might benefit from in utero intervention. The failure of prosencephalic midline induction and development results in midline defects ranging from alobar holoprosencephaly to isolated corpus callosum defects. The detection of callosal abnormaties is enhanced by 3D ultrasound, but counseling on neurodevelopmental outcome remains challenging. The Dandy-Walker spectrum includes isolated megacisterna magna, Blake's pouch cyst, hypoplasia of the vermis and Dandy-Walker malformation. Except for complete agenesis of the vermis associated with fourth ventricle cyst formation, data on long-term outcomes for the various conditions is largely lacking. Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) results in the highest incidence of children born with, or developing, long-term neurologic conditions. If proof of fetal infection has been delivered, microcephaly, cortical malformations, and intraparenchymal cysts show a strong correlation with poor outcome. Fetuses with CMV-related ultrasound abnormalities might benefit from maternal transplacental treatment. The aneurysm of the vein of Galen, a vascular malformation of the brain, often results in high cardiac output failure. After neonatal arterial embolization, survival is about 50% with normal neurologic development in 36% of cases. Over 50% of intracranial tumors are teratomata, presenting as fast-growing heterogeneous solid-cystic masses with calcifications. Most intracranial hemorrhages are related to the ventricular system, and prognosis is often poor, particularly in cases involving parenchymal and subdural bleeding. Proliferation disorders of the brain are often characterized by microcephaly. Their etiology is heterogeneous and prenatal diagnosis is often made late in gestation.

Tomographic ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor in nulliparous pregnant women: limits of normality

To define normal appearance of the puborectalis muscle on tomographic ultrasound imaging in pregnant nulliparous women, establishing limits of normality. This was a subanalysis of consecutive ultrasound volume datasets of 497 pregnant nulliparous women recruited in the context of two studies. All participants were carrying a singleton pregnancy at a mean gestation of 36.4 (range, 33-38) weeks. Tomographic ultrasound imaging was performed by subsequent post-processing on volumes obtained at maximal pelvic floor contraction at 2.5-mm slice intervals, from 5 mm below to 12.5 mm above the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions, producing eight slices per patient. Apparent abnormalities of the insertion of the puborectalis muscle were commonly seen in slices 1 and 2, but were uncommon in slice 3 (< 8%), very uncommon in slice 4 (1%) and rare elsewhere. They were not associated with bladder neck descent. Considering published minimal criteria for diagnosing an avulsion of the puborectalis muscle (slices 3 to 5 all abnormal), this diagnosis was made in three women. On reviewing those cases, one of which was rated abnormal on both sides, two were false positive as judged by the two senior authors. However, one was judged to be highly abnormal by both senior authors, with a full avulsion diagnosed on the left. Published minimal criteria for the diagnosis of avulsion of the puborectalis muscle by tomographic pelvic floor ultrasound imaging are highly unlikely to result in a false-positive diagnosis and appear to be sufficiently robust for clinical practice.

Hybrid intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography catheter for imaging of coronary atherosclerosis

To demonstrate the feasibility of imaging human coronary atherosclerosis using a novel hybrid intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging catheter. IVUS and OCT have synergistic advantages and recent studies involving both modalities suggest the use of a hybrid imaging catheter may offer improved guidance of coronary interventions and plaque characterization. A 1.3 m custom hybrid IVUS-OCT imaging probe was built within a 4F catheter using a 42 MHz ultrasound transducer and an OCT imaging fiber. Coplanar images were simultaneously acquired ex vivo by both modalities in 31 arterial segments from 11 cadaveric human coronaries. IVUS and OCT images were acquired at 250 μm intervals, of which 13 of the arterial segments were selected as representative of a diverse set of pathological findings. The selected segments were then imaged with either digital X-ray or micro-CT, processed for histological analysis and compared with the corresponding IVUS and OCT images. Images of human coronary atherosclerosis using the hybrid IVUS-OCT catheter demonstrated a range of vascular pathologies that were confirmed on histology. The anticipated synergistic advantages of each modality were qualitatively apparent, including the deeper tissue penetration of IVUS and the superior contrast, resolution and near-field image quality of OCT. Preliminary ex vivo images using a hybrid IVUS-OCT catheter demonstrated feasibility in using the device for intracoronary imaging of atherosclerosis. Future studies will include in vivo imaging and larger samples sizes to enable quantitative comparisons of tissue characterization and feature identification using hybrid imaging catheters versus standalone IVUS and OCT imaging techniques. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Offline fusion of co-registered intravascular ultrasound and frequency domain optical coherence tomography images for the analysis of human atherosclerotic plaques

To demonstrate the feasibility and potential usefulness of an offline fusion of matched optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)/virtual histology (IVUS-VH) images. A total of nine matched OCT, IVUS, and IVUS-VH cross-sections were fused according to a methodology described in this report. On the basis of the fused images, an OCT-IVUS-VH tissue classification algorithm is proposed taking into account the individual strength of both techniques. Offline fusion of co-registered IVUS and OCT is feasible and combines the strengths of both imaging modalities, potentially improving the diagnostic accuracy of plaque characterisation.

Dysfunction of coronary smooth muscle Ca2+ regulation in the progression of metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease in Ossabaw miniature swine

Coronary smooth muscle (CSM) cell Ca2+ regulation was studied in the Ossabaw swine model of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). MetS was induced by excess calorie atherogenic diet for 9 or 12 months and compared to lean controls on normal diet. Isometric tension studies on isolated coronary arteries revealed that 9 months of MetS increased tension development to KCl depolarization vs. lean controls, whereas 12 months reduced tension vs. control. MetS increases CAD and CSM Ca2+ dysregulation. CSM were isolated enzymatically and digitally imaged with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura‐2. There was no difference in basal Ca2+ levels between groups. We released sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores with caffeine. The peak Ca2+ release was increased in 9 month and decreased in 12 month MetS vs. lean. This Ca2+ response largely represents the caffeine‐sensitive SR Ca2+ store capacity. After the SR store depletion, a sustained Ca2+ signal above basal levels remained in the 9 month MetS group, reflecting store‐operated Ca2+ entry and decreased Ca2+ extrusion ability. Intravascular ultrasound and micro‐computed tomography imaging showed greater atherosclerosis and extracellular calcification in 12 vs. 9 month MetS. Collectively, these data suggest that CSM undergo dedifferentiation from a contractile to an osteogenic phenotype with progressively increasing CAD. (NIH HL062552, HL092245)

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR IMAGE-GUIDED MANIPULATION OR SENSING OR ANATOMIC STRUCTURES

Forward-looking ultrasound transducers are positioned at the tip of a transseptal catheter to facilitate transseptal puncture and interventions within the left atrium, pulmonary veins and mitral valve. Catheter devices and systems are guided by forward-looking ultrasound or optical coherence tomography imaging for penetrating from one location within a mammalian patient's body to another location, and/or performing diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. A penetrator, diagnostic, or interventional device (eg. probe, biopsy apparatus, electrode, needle) is positioned at the catheter tip and is advanceable from the catheter to a target location outside of the lumen in which the catheter is positioned. The imaging probe uses forward-looking ultrasound or optical coherence tomography that allows one to locate both the target and the medical device. The operator may then adjust the position and/or rotational orientation of the catheter such that when the medical device is subsequently advanced it will either enter or be deployed at the target location.

Breast Ultrasound Tomography Versus MRI for Clinical Display of Anatomy and Tumor Rendering: Preliminary Results

The objective of our study was to determine the clinical display thresholds of an ultrasound tomography prototype relative to MRI for comparable visualization of breast anatomy and tumor rendering. Thirty-six women were imaged with MRI and our ultrasound tomography prototype. The ultrasound tomography scan generated reflection, sound-speed, and attenuation images. The reflection images were fused with the components of the sound-speed and attenuation images that achieved thresholds to represent parenchyma or solid masses using an image arithmetic process. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of MRI and ultrasound tomography clinical images were used to identify anatomic similarities and optimized thresholds for tumor shapes and volumes. Thresholding techniques generated ultrasound tomography images comparable to MR images for visualizing fibrous stroma, parenchyma, fatty tissues, and tumors. In 25 patients, tumors were cancerous and in 11, benign. Optimized sound-speed thresholds of 1.46±0.1 and 1.52±0.03 km/s were identified to best represent the extent of fibroglandular tissue and solid masses, respectively. An arithmetic combination of attenuation images using a threshold of 0.16±0.04 dB/cm (mean±SD) further characterized benign from malignant masses. No significant difference in tumor volume was noted between benign or malignant masses by ultrasound tomography or MRI (p>0.1) using these universal thresholds. Ultrasound tomography is able to image and render breast tissues in a manner comparable to MRI. Using universal ultrasound tomography threshold values for rendering the size and distribution of benign and malignant tissues appears feasible without IV contrast material.

3D, Vocal and Tomographic Ultrasound Image in Prenatal Diagnosis of Hypospadias

ABSTRACT We report a case of anterior hypospadias, diagnosed at 26th week in a 37 years-old primigravida with normal 46XY kariotype through amniocentesis carried out at 16th week. Sonographic examination with 2D showed a short and curved penis. The use of three orthogonal planes, Tomographic Ultrasound Image (TUI) and VOCAL allowed an exact prenatal diagnostic, showing the “tulip” sign and defining localization, situation and extension of the urethral orifice.

Impact of mode of delivery on levator morphology: a prospective observational study with three‐dimensional ultrasound early in the postpartum period

To evaluate morphology and integrity of the levator ani muscle (LAM) with three-dimensional ultrasound early in the postpartum period. Prospective cross-sectional observational study. University hospital in Germany. Women after vaginal delivery and caesarean section with no previous vaginal delivery. Three-dimensional perineal ultrasound was performed between 48 and 72 hours postpartum. The axial plane at the level of minimal hiatal dimension and tomographic ultrasound imaging were used to determine LAM biometry and defect. Primary outcome was to compare hiatal dimensions and levator defect following vaginal delivery or caesarean section. For secondary outcomes, we evaluated the role of caesarean section in protecting levator integrity, and the possible involvement of the first stage of labour in LAM changes. In all, 157 women participated: 81 (51.6%) following vaginal delivery (70 spontaneous and 11 operative deliveries) and 76 (48.4%) following caesarean section (55 elective and 21 emergency caesarean sections). All biometric indices of the levator were higher after vaginal delivery (P<0.001), except for LAM thickness. LAM defects were found to be significantly associated with vaginal delivery, with relative risk 7.5 (P<0.001). Following vaginal delivery, 32 (39.5%) levator defects were found: 27 (38.5%) after spontaneous delivery and five (45.4%) after operative delivery. Four (5.2%) women had a levator defect following emergency caesarean section. Vaginal delivery modifies and damages the LAM: the risk of levator defect after vaginal delivery is more than seven times higher than after caesarean section. Despite this, emergency caesarean section seems to have no complete preventive effect on LAM trauma.

Do Levator Ani Tears Affect the Outcome of Anterior Vaginal Repairs with Mesh?

To determine if the presence of levator ani tears affect the outcome of anterior vaginal repairs with mesh. Longitudinal prospective study. Private urggynecology clinic. A total of 237 consecutive women with a POP-Q point Ba score≥0 had anterior repairs done with polypropylene mesh. They were followed from 32 to 74 months. Translabial 3D/4D ultrasound was done prior to surgery, 6 months post repair, and with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) of Ba ≥ -1 after the initial repair. All scans measured bladder neck mobility, retrovesical angle, tomographic ultrasound images, and rendered hiatal volumes. One hundred twenty-eight (54%) of the women with anterior prolapse had a uni- or bilateral levator ani tear and 109 (46%) had no tears. Forty-seven of 237 (19%) women had recurrent anterior POP (26 were associated with apical POP). The occurrence of anterior/apical, apical, and posterior vaginal prolapse in women with LA tears (+LA) was 15, 16, and 5, and without LA tears (-LA) was 6, 10, and 5, respectively. Recurrent anterior prolapse did not occur solely in the+LA group; it was always associated with an apical component. Forty-one of 128+LA and 16 of 109 - LA had recurrent POP. The relative risk for recurrent POP with LA tear was 1.895 (95% C.I.=1.116 to 3.219). There was significant difference in recurrent POP with tears verses no tears (P=0.0167). Mesh was effective in treating moderate to severe anterior prolapse. Vaginal deliveries were probably the etiology of the tears in this study group. The relative risk of recurrent POP increased significantly in women with prior levator damage. The anterior POP severity probably accounted for the high incidence of tears in this group. Translabial 3D/4D ultrasound is more sensitive than pelvic MRI scans and is an essential tool for pelvic floor disease.

Fetal Megacystis

The purpose of our retrospective observational series was to determine whether the sonographic characteristics of fetal megacystic bladders can be used to reliably establish the most likely diagnosis in fetuses with this condition. The sonographic records of pregnant patients referred to our institutions over a 10-year period who were found on initial 2-dimensional sonography to be carrying fetuses with megacystis were examined for evidence of a keyhole sign, bladder thickness, amniotic fluid index, and fetal sex. When available, 3-/4-dimensional sonography, Doppler angiography, tomographic ultrasound imaging, virtual organ computer-aided analysis, and automatic volume calculation were used as part of the detailed fetal anatomic survey. Twenty fetuses with megacystis were identified. Seventeen were male; 2 were female; and 1 had ambiguous genitalia. All male fetuses with megacystis originally had a diagnosis of prune belly syndrome. The diagnosis for 10 male fetuses with a keyhole sign was changed to megacystis secondary to posterior urethral valves. The fetus with ambiguous genitalia had prune belly syndrome. One of the female fetuses had a diagnosis of urethral atresia, and the diagnosis for the other female fetus was megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome. In conclusion, in fetuses with megacystic bladders, it is possible to distinguish between cases with prune belly syndrome, posterior urethral valves, urethral atresia, and megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome by a detailed anatomic survey using 2- and 3-/4-dimensioinal sonographic techniques.

Prenatal diagnosis of OEIS (omphalocele, bladder exstrophy, imperforate anus, clubfeet) variant associated with increased nuchal translucency and OEIS complex with ambiguous genitalia associated with corrected transposition of the great arteries: case series and review of the literature

The OEIS complex refers to a combination of defects consisting in omphalocele, bladder exstrophy, imperforate anus and spinal defects and represents a rare nosologic entity (from 1:200,000 to 1:400,000 pregnancies). The defect probably occurs in early blastogenesis or in mesodermal migration during the primitive streak period. Two cases of OEIS complex diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound are reported. The medical record regarding differential diagnosis, associated anomalies, treatment and prognosis has also been sought and reported. Differential diagnosis with exstrophy-epispadias complex and/or cloacalexstrophy complex may be difficult antenatally by means of ultrasound. However, color Doppler has been proved to aid the diagnosis of bladder exstrophy by depicting the urine flow in direct communication with the abdominal cavity and has been useful in showing the course of the perivesical umbilical arteries. Prenatal 3D ultrasound with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) and antenatal MR imaging might be useful adjuncts to conventional 2D scan in aiding the prenatal diagnosis of such malformation.

Added value of three‐/four‐dimensional ultrasound in offline analysis and diagnosis of congenital heart disease

Many published studies have shown that application of three-dimensional (3D) and real-time 3D (4D) ultrasound modalities can improve certain aspects of fetal echocardiography, but have left open the question of whether these modalities improved the accuracy of prenatal detection of anatomical fetal cardiovascular malformations. We aimed to determine whether 3D/4D ultrasound improved diagnostic ability in cases of congenital heart disease (CHD). Women who attended for early- or midtrimester targeted organ scans had complete fetal echocardiography according to our five-planes protocol, as well as examination of the ductus venosus and longitudinal aortic arch planes, performed with 2D ultrasound combined with 2D color Doppler, spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC), STIC with color Doppler, and STIC with B-flow. Ultrasound data of cases of CHD were stored in a dedicated archive. Stored cases were anonymized and the list order was randomized. Stored 2D ultrasound cineloops and 4D ultrasound volumes were reviewed separately according to a standardized table of 23 specified structures on five required planes of visualization: the upper abdomen, four-chamber view, five-chamber view, pulmonary artery bifurcation view, and three vessels and trachea plane. Separate diagnoses were recorded and finally compared. Diagnoses were confirmed by pathological examination or neonatal echocardiography. During the study period, 13 101 examinations were performed; 181 diagnoses of CHD were made. In 12 of these, 3D/4D ultrasound added to the accuracy of our diagnosis: one right aortic arch with anomalous branching; one transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary atresia diagnosed with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI); one segmental interrupted aortic arch diagnosed with TUI; one right ventricle aneurysm diagnosed with B-flow; two agenesis of ductus venosus to the coronary sinus diagnosed by multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and B-flow; two total anomalous pulmonary venous connection diagnosed with MPR; and four ventricular septal defect (VSD) diagnosed with the aid of virtual planes. There were 12 missed diagnoses and no false-positive results. 3D/4D ultrasound modalities may have advantages in some aspects of fetal cardiovascular evaluation, however, overall 3D/4D ultrasound modalities had added value in only about 6% of cases of fetal anatomical cardiovascular anomalies.

Modification of Kirchhoff migration with variable sound speed and attenuation for acoustic imaging of media and application to tomographic imaging of the breast

To explore the feasibility of improving cross-sectional reflection imaging of the breast using refractive and attenuation corrections derived from ultrasound tomography data. The authors have adapted the planar Kirchhoff migration method, commonly used in geophysics to reconstruct reflection images, for use in ultrasound tomography imaging of the breast. Furthermore, the authors extended this method to allow for refractive and attenuative corrections. Using clinical data obtained with a breast imaging prototype, the authors applied this method to generate cross-sectional reflection images of the breast that were corrected using known distributions of sound speed and attenuation obtained from the same data. A comparison of images reconstructed with and without the corrections showed varying degrees of improvement. The sound speed correction resulted in sharpening of detail, while the attenuation correction reduced the central darkening caused by path length dependent losses. The improvements appeared to be greatest when dense tissue was involved and the least for fatty tissue. These results are consistent with the expectation that denser tissues lead to both greater refractive effects and greater attenuation. Although conventional ultrasound techniques use time-gain control to correct for attenuation gradients, these corrections lead to artifacts because the true attenuation distribution is not known. The use of constant sound speed leads to additional artifacts that arise from not knowing the sound speed distribution. The authors show that in the context of ultrasound tomography, it is possible to construct reflection images of the breast that correct for inhomogeneous distributions of both sound speed and attenuation.

61: First trimester diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease (CHD) in high-risk patients using standardized fetal echocardiography (T1 echo) with spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC), tomographic ultrasound (TUI) and color Doppler imaging (CDI)

61: First trimester diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease (CHD) in high-risk patients using standardized fetal echocardiography (T1 echo) with spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC), tomographic ultrasound (TUI) and color Doppler imaging (CDI)

Minimal criteria for the diagnosis of avulsion of the puborectalis muscle by tomographic ultrasound

Puborectalis avulsion is a likely etiological factor for female pelvic organ prolapse (FPOP). We performed a study to establish minimal sonographic criteria for the diagnosis of avulsion. We analysed datasets of 764 women seen at a urogynecological service. Offline analysis of ultrasound datasets was performed blinded to patient data. Tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) was used to diagnose avulsion of the puborectalis muscle. Logistic regression modelling of TUI data showed that complete avulsion is best diagnosed by requiring the three central tomographic slices to be abnormal. This finding was obtained in 30% of patients and was associated with symptoms and signs of FPOP (P<0.001). Lesser degrees of trauma ('partial avulsion') were not associated with symptoms or signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. Complete avulsion of the puborectalis muscle is best diagnosed on TUI by requiring all three central slices to be abnormal. Partial trauma seems of limited clinical relevance.

Does levator ani injury affect cystocele type?

To determine the prevalence of levator ani injury in patients with different types of cystocele, as defined by translabial ultrasound, in order to shed light on potential pathophysiological mechanisms. The datasets of 222 women who had undergone a physical examination, urodynamic testing and four-dimensional (4D) pelvic floor ultrasound were evaluated offline for prolapse, levator ani hiatal dimensions and levator ani trauma using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), blinded against all clinical and urodynamic data. Cystoceles reaching below the symphysis pubis on ultrasound examination were classified based on bladder neck position, retrovesical angle (RVA) and urethral rotation as Green II (cystourethrocele) or Green III (cystocele with intact RVA). Of 102 women who had a cystocele reaching below the symphysis pubis, 63 were classified as a Green type II cystocele and 39 as a Green type III cystocele. Women with Green type III cystoceles were older (59.4 vs. 48.7 years, P < 0.001), and had more severe prolapse (71 vs. 43%, P = 0.004) and objective voiding dysfunction (39 vs. 18%, P = 0.018). Women with Green III cystoceles also had larger hiatal dimensions and were more often diagnosed with an avulsion of the levator ani muscle (69 vs. 35%, P = 0.001). A cystocele with an intact RVA is more likely to be associated with avulsion injury of the levator ani muscle and thus more likely to be caused by birth-related trauma. This contradicts the commonly held belief that such cystoceles are caused by central rather than by lateral fascial defects.

3D and 4D sonography and magnetic resonance in the assessment of normal and abnormal CNS development: alternative or complementary

Advanced transvaginal neurosonography has revealed normal and abnormal intracranial morphology. Transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) sonography demonstrates bony structure, multiplanar analysis of inside detailed morphology, tomographic ultrasound imaging in any cutting sections, 3D sonoangiography and volume calculation of ventricles and/or intracranial lesions. Longitudinal assessment of normal and abnormal central nervous system (CNS) development is done by serial scanning. However, the transvaginal high-frequency approach has several limitations due to lack of penetration and cranial bone ossification with advanced gestational age. Magnetic resonance neuroimaging enabled observation of the whole intracranial cavity, brainstem and cortical gyral/sulcal development. On the other hand, neuro-sonography has advantages in detecting intracranial calcification, vascular abnormalities, intratumoral vascularity and bone dysplasia. Moreover, 3D ultrasound demonstrates extra CNS abnormalities, strongly associated with CNS abnormalities. Any less-invasive modalities can be used for a CNS anomaly screening scan and ultrasound is no doubt the first choice. Once CNS abnormality is suspected, it is suggested to use the different technologies according to what is looked for in each abnormal CNS case. Of course, MR and 3D ultrasound imaging should be complementary as well as alternative.