What does the four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound mainly examine?
Disease description:
I'm pregnant, and my doctor recommended a four-dimensional ultrasound, but I don't fully understand it. Could you please explain what aspects does the four-dimensional ultrasound mainly examine?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
Four-dimensional ultrasound examination is an advanced medical imaging technique primarily used in the field of obstetrics to provide comprehensive fetal health assessments for pregnant women. The main aspects evaluated by 4D color ultrasound include:
1. Fetal head: Examines the integrity of the fetal skull ring, measures parameters such as biparietal diameter and head circumference, and evaluates fetal brain development, including abnormalities such as hydrocephalus or microcephaly.
2. Spinal development: Assesses whether the spine is straight and checks for abnormalities such as twisting or interruption.
3. Facial development: Observes the形态 of the fetal eyes, interocular distance, and upper lip to screen for facial abnormalities such as cleft lip.
4. Internal organs: Examines the development of internal organs such as the liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder to identify any abnormalities.
5. Urinary system: Evaluates fetal urinary system development, including abnormalities such as hydronephrosis or polycystic kidney disease.
6. Screening for genetic disorders: Although 4D ultrasound cannot directly detect genetic diseases, it can indirectly indicate potential genetic risks by observing certain fetal characteristics.
