Imaging of fetal precordial venous system by four-dimensional ultrasound with spatiotemporal image correlation technology

Abstract

Despite the use of two- and three- dimensional color Doppler ultrasonography, the prenatal sonographic evaluation of precordial venous system remains difficult. Spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) technology has been well described for the assessment of the fetal heart, but not of precordial venous system. As demonstrated in this report, it is feasible to use four-dimensional ultrasound with STIC rendered volume in glass-body mode and tomographic ultrasound imaging to image this system including the connection and drainage of the ductus venosus, hepatic veins and inferior vena cava to the fetal heart. This novel approach can increase the understanding of this venous system.

Keywords: IVC; STIC; ductus venosus; hepatic veins; venous system.