Fetal ultrasound: Difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
Fetal ultrasound is a tool to help obstetricians monitor pregnancy. Ultrasound can be performed at different times to assess the development of the baby in the womb. Along with the advancement of science and technology, ultrasound has become very popular and increasingly reflects the internal structure with 2D, 3D and 4D images. Follow the article below to learn the difference and the role of each 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound technique.

1. What is an ultrasound?

The essence of ultrasound is a series of high frequency waves. Similar to bats, flying in the dark, they have the ability to emit a high frequency wave band, then sense the echo signal to orientate the space, the way to move. The transducer is considered the most important part of the ultrasound system, having both the function of broadcasting and the function of receiving reflected waves. The signal is then transmitted to a computer and by analyzing the speed, the number of received waves compared to the emitted waves, the signal is converted into an image, which reflects the current surface as well as the internal structure. up on the screen.
In the specialties of general medicine, ultrasound is the first basic imaging tool to be performed to evaluate the structure and nature of an organ. In obstetrics in particular, ultrasound plays an increasingly dominant role when other imaging modalities, such as x-rays, are almost contraindicated.

2. What is 2D ultrasound?

Today, thanks to the application of scientific achievements, ultrasound technology has made many great strides compared to the past. However, 2D ultrasound (2D ultrasound - 2D abbreviated from the word "dimension") is always the basic step. The image displayed on the main screen is a cross-sectional view of the beam on the organ structure. In which, the areas containing water, fluid, and blood are dark and the body tissue structure is shown in gray to white, the brighter the color, the denser the structure and vice versa.

3. What is 3D and 4D ultrasound?

3D ultrasound is a step forward on the achievements of 2D ultrasound. Images are shown to add another dimension in space, making it easier for viewers to see structures like real photos, instead of cross-sections like 2D ultrasound.
For 4D ultrasound, the internal structure of the body is not only visualized but also shows movements such as watching a video tape. Accordingly, the system provides more beams and the transmission speed also becomes faster.

4. What is the role of 2D, 3D and 4D fetal ultrasound?

Because the nature of each type of ultrasound is different, obstetricians will apply each type at each appropriate time of pregnancy, but absolutely no type shows superiority.
2D fetal ultrasound is considered a “procedure” that cannot be ignored. If pregnant women can detect their pregnancy at home with a urine test, a 2D pregnancy ultrasound is the next step to be taken at the hospital to accurately determine if the pregnancy is real or not. position of intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy, number of fetuses, gestational age and expected date of delivery. At the same time, at this time, 2D fetal ultrasound also helps to assess whether the mother's appendages have any abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries, because these parts also have a more or less impact on the development of the fetus. fetus in the near future. In the following trimesters, 2D fetal ultrasound is still repeated in each prenatal visit to assess the baby's development through the femur length, head circumference, date of birth as well as the quality and size of the baby. remaining amount of amniotic fluid. Although 2D fetal ultrasound gives images on a plane, with only two basic black and white colors, so it will be difficult for pregnant women to visualize their baby, this medium only projects a very low beam, so it can considered the safest but still provides complete and useful information.
Compared with 2D techniques, 3D fetal ultrasound will obviously provide more realistic images, allowing pregnant mothers to observe on the screen to see the baby's face, limbs, and body appear through many angles. Accordingly, the sex of the fetus is also more accurately determined. However, from a professional perspective, 3D ultrasound is a useful tool for doctors to look for abnormalities, suspected structural abnormalities such as cleft lip, cleft palate, cleft palate, Down syndrome, etc. short limbs or congenital heart diseases.
For 4D pregnancy ultrasound, in addition to 3D images, parents can also know what the little angel is doing in his secret world. Since then, some parents have kept it as the first footage of their children's life; in which, if you're lucky, you'll happen to see the baby smiling, yawning, sucking his thumb or putting his foot in preparation to kick the wall of the mother's belly.
In summary, depending on the purpose and stage of pregnancy, ultrasound techniques will be performed with different roles.
Maternity packages at Vinmec International General Hospital all have 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound, helping to detect abnormal problems during pregnancy, protecting the health of mother and baby. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, pregnant women will be consulted by the doctor for appropriate fetal ultrasound to check the development status of the baby.

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