Initial clinical experience with three-dimensional ultrasonography of the brain in newborns

Objective: We assessed the utility of 3D ultrasound in defecting morphological changes of cerebral anatomy in newborns. Methods: Transfontanel cross-sectional ultrasound scans were obtained in standardized coronal and median sagittal planes. Subsequently, rotational scanning was used to acquire the multiple sequential cross-sections of the brain. A conventional 5 MHz transducer was rotated 180 degrees by a computer-controlled stepper motor and an image of the brain was obtained at each step of motion to obtain a three-dimensional dataset. Data was stored in the image processing computer which allowed for off-line three dimensional reconstruction of different brain regions. Results: Cavity of lateral ventricle,and periventricular brain parenchyma could be reconstructed in all. Accurate estimation of size and volume of ultrasonographically visible pathological brain lesions could be performed. Epicortical and subarachnoidal space could be reconstructed in all and allowed detection of hemorrhage in one case which was not detected by conventional ultrasound. Conclusion: 30 reconstruction of different areas of the brain may provide additional quantitative information on size and volume of the internal ventricle and better understanding of the topographical aspects and the extension of intra-and periventricular morphological abnormalities than conventional cross-sectional ultrasound.