A new semi-automated method for fetal volume measurements with three-dimensional ultrasound: preliminary results
Prenatal Diagnosis, 05/21/2012  Clinical Article

Smeets NAC et al. – Mathematical volume calculations are possible with the semi–automated method. Authors were able to apply this new method on a first trimester fetus. This new method is promising for future use in the daily practice.

• Volume datasets of 16 objects (10.2–41.5 cm3) were obtained. Euclidean shortening flow and Perona and Malik were used as image enhancement techniques.
• The image gradient was calculated.
• The points of interest were detected by the iso–intensity and the edge–detection technique.
• Volume measurements with Volume Computer–aided AnaLysis (VOCAL) are used as a reference.
• A volume dataset of a first trimester fetus was acquired to test this method in vivo.

• The mathematical calculations with iso–intensity (Perona and Malik: average=1.57 cm3, SD=4.05; and Euclidean shortening flow: average =1.38 cm3, SD=2.47) showed results comparable with the VOCAL method (average=+1.28 cm3, SD=2.07).
• They also succeeded in detecting all voxels in the whole contour of a 12–week fetus.