Artificial Intelligence in Obstetric Ultrasound: An Update and Future Applications

Zhiyi Chen; Zhenyu Liu; Meng Du; Ziyao Wang

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.733468

Artificial Intelligence in Obstetric Ultrasound: An Update and Future Applications

Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Aug 27:8:733468. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.733468. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Zhiyi Chen^{1

2}, Zhenyu Liu¹, Meng Du², Ziyao Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical Imaging Centre, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
² Institute of Medical Imaging, University of South China, Hengyang, China.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) can support clinical decisions and provide quality assurance for images. Although ultrasonography is commonly used in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the use of AI is still in a stage of infancy. Nevertheless, in repetitive ultrasound examinations, such as those involving automatic positioning and identification of fetal structures, prediction of gestational age (GA), and real-time image quality assurance, AI has great potential. To realize its application, it is necessary to promote interdisciplinary communication between AI developers and sonographers. In this review, we outlined the benefits of AI technology in obstetric ultrasound diagnosis by optimizing image acquisition, quantification, segmentation, and location identification, which can be helpful for obstetric ultrasound diagnosis in different periods of pregnancy.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; automatic measurement; classification; obstetric ultrasound; segmentation; ultrasound telemedicine.

Publication types

Review