Low cost three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging in a military Women's Health Center using the continuous linear acquisition method

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of our three-dimensional ultrasonographic system in a population of female military health care beneficiaries. Design : Using the previously described continuous linear acquisition method of three-dimensional ultrasonography , we collected an archive of threedimensional ultrasound images then reconstructed serial frame sets using NIH IMAGE. All study subjects were volunteers who were patients seen at the Madigan Army Medical Center 's (MAMC) Antenatal Diagnostic Center. Method: Volunteers from a population of women undergoing screening and diagnostic ultrasounds were evaluated by conventional two-dimensional ultrasound . Each subsequently underwent examination using the continuous linear acquisition transducer system. The scrolled images were then uploaded to a Macintosh 8100/80 workstation (Power PC) with SCION LG3 frame grabber card operating NIH IMAGE software. We created three-dimensional interactive data sets for image projection. In the case of our three-dimensional fetal echocardiography, we used a manual pseudo-gating process to create a running 0-degree projection of one fetal cardiac cycle. All other projections were 360 degree, rotating, brightest point projections. Results We have assembled a montage of three-dimensional utrasonographic images to include: a complete but not central placenta previa highlighting for the first time the unique three dimensional character of this pathology, a diamnionic-dichorionic twins gestation which shows our ability to perform off line image optimization and biometry, a normal singleton gestation revealing spinal ultrastructure in a compunded image, a cleft lip and palate, a complex cystic adenexal mass, and finally a three-dimensional fetal echocardiogram using a manual pseudo-gating process to create a running 0- degree projection of one fetal cardiac cycle. Concl usion: The continuous linear acquisition method of 3D sonographic image generation provided clinically useful , inexpensive, and unique information which proved to be a useful adjunct to the management of several patients with pregnancy and non-pregnancy related pathologies. This initial work-in-progress study demonstrates the need for further research into low cosffportable three-dimensional imaging systems.