Facial tumors, extremity anomalies: 3-D imaging spots fetal anomalies.(Obstetrics)

BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Three-dimensional ultrasound examinations of fetal anomalies can reveal additional information that pinpoints diagnosis and guides patient management, Dr. Luis Izquierdo reported at the annual meeting of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The 3-D scans are especially helpful in diagnosing facial tumors and anomalies of the extremities, and studies have shown that 3-D scans are also performed more quickly and are vastly easier to interpret than traditional 2-D scans, he said.

"I'm here to let you know that ultrasound is not dead," said Dr. Izquierdo, director of the women's ultrasound unit at the University of Miami. "The use of ultrasound has turned around the field of obstetrics and improved outcomes in perinatal mortality."

His unit performs one or two of these in-depth diagnostic scans each week. Typically, the patient has been referred to the unit for further evaluation of a suspicious finding on a 2-D ultrasound scan.

The diagnostic evaluation includes a traditional ultrasound, a transvaginal ultrasound, a 3-D ultrasound, and color mapping of blood flow in the suspicious area.

Once the diagnosis is defined, a team of specialists, including high-risk obstetricians, newborn intensivists, and pediatric surgeons, devises a management plan and counsels the patient, he said.

"Perhaps the most important aspect of this is that the patient is invited to meet all of these people who are eventually going to be taking care of that baby," Dr. Izquierdo said. "They form a positive working relationship with their team very early on."