Structural and functional early human development assessed by three-dimensional and four-dimensional sonography

Received 13 January 2005; received in revised form 17 March 2005; accepted 17 March 2005.

Objective

To summarize the role of three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound in the assessment of early human development.

Design

Review of literature.

Setting

Ultrasound research center and obstetrics and gynecology department in a tertiary care facility.

Result(s)

The introduction of high-frequency transvaginal tranducers has resulted in remarkable progress in ultrasonographic visualization of early embryos and fetuses and the development of sonoembryology. Furthermore, recent introduction of three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasounds combined with the transvaginal approach has produced more objective and accurate information on embryonal and early fetal development. For the first time parallel analyses of structural and functional parameters in the first 12 weeks of gestation become possible.

Conclusion(s)

The anatomy and physiology of placental and embryonic development is a field where medicine exerts its greatest impact on early pregnancy at present time, and it opens fascinating aspects of embryonic differentiation. Clinical assessment of those stages of growth rely heavily on three-dimensional and four-dimensional sonography, one of the most promising forms of noninvasive diagnostics today and embryological phenomenon, once matters for textbooks are now routinely recorded with outstanding clarity.

Key Words: First trimester , sonoembryology , brain function , three-dimensional ultrasound , four-dimensional ultrasound

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

e Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

b Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Center for Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, National Kagawa Children’s Hospital, Kagawa, Japan

c Assisted Reproduction Unit, International Ruber Hospital, Madrid, Spain

d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain

f Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

Reprint requests: Asim Kurjak, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Sveti Duh 64, Zagreb, Croatia (FAX: 385-1-3745534).

Supported by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Croatia.

PII: S0015-0282(05)02794-9

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.03.084

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