Can 3-dimensional cranial ultrasound be used to successfully reconstruct a 2-dimensional image without compromising on image quality in a neonatal population?

Cranial ultrasound is frequently performed in neonatal intensive care units and acquiring 2-dimensional (D) images requires significant training. Three-D ultrasound images can be acquired semi-automatically.

This proof-of-concept study aimed to demonstrate that 3-D study image quality compares well with 2-D. If this is successful, 3-D images could be acquired in remote areas and read remotely by experts.

This was a prospective study of 20 neonates, who underwent both routine 2-D and 3-D cranial ultrasounds. Images were reconstructed into standard views extracted from the 3-D volume and evaluated by three radiologists blinded to the acquisition method. The radiologists assessed for the presence of anatomical landmarks and overall image quality.

More anatomical structures were identified in the 3-D studies (P<0.01). There was a trend that 3-D ultrasound demonstrated better image quality in the coronal plane, and 2-D in the sagittal plane, only reaching statistical significance for two coronal views and two sagittal views.

Overall, this study has demonstrated that 3-D cranial ultrasound performs similarly to 2-D and could be implemented into neonatal practice.