Comparative Analysis of Two- Versus Three-Dimensional Sonography for Nuchal Translucency Measurement

Abstract

Objective The aim of this article is to test the hypothesis that three-dimensional (3D) sonography is correlated to the two-dimensional (2D) sonography for nuchal translucency (NT) measurement during first trimester screening (FTS).

Methods We performed a prospective observational study on patients presenting for FTS. Three NT measurements were performed using the current standardized 2D method at the midsagittal planes, and NT sonography was then repeated for each case using 3D sagittal and axial plane. The Kruskal–Wallis test and the Spearman rank correlation were used to evaluate the relationship between 2D and 3D NT methods of measurement. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results The study included 366 patients with singleton pregnancies. Mean maternal age was 31.2 years, and mean gestational age was 12^3/7 weeks. The mean maximal NT measurement for 2D and 3D sagittal and axial planes were 1.65, 1.70, and 1.66 mm, respectively (p = 0.42). The Spearman rank correlation of 2D sagittal plane sonography with 3D sagittal and axial planar sonography was 0.73 and 0.68, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion 3D NT measurement appears to be a tool highly correlated to the conventional 2D sonographic approach. This may be useful in selected cases in which there is difficulty in obtaining optimal 2D measurements of the NT space.

Keywords

nuchal translucency - two-dimensional sonography - three-dimensional sonography

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