VOLUME IMAGING - 3-DIMENSIONAL APPRECIATION OF THE FETAL HEAD AND FACE

Quasi-three-dimensional volume imaging provides an inexpensive means o f evaluating the usefulness of three-dimensional imaging. The techniqu e works most efficiently with water-skin interfaces and therefore we i nvestigated its application in obstetrical ultrasonography. Three-dime nsional perspectives of the normal and abnormal fetal head and face we re spectacular and at times provided more information than the two-dim ensional images. The ability of an inexperienced observer to interpret the three-dimensional image more easily may have a role in training s onographers and counseling parents whose fetuses have structural defec ts. Volume imaging has certain limitations and can only be used as a c omplementary technique.