Four-dimensional ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis

Topfer L A, Hailey D
Record ID 32003001151
English, French
Authors' objectives:

To summarize the available information on the use of four-dimensional ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis.

Authors' recommendations: It is likely that four-dimensional ultrasound is more of an incremental development, rather than a revolutionary change, in ultrasound imaging technology. This technology is currently an add-on to two-dimensional ultrasound, rather than a replacement for it. As with many medical technologies, much depends on the skill of the operator, and there is a long learning curve. At present there is little in the published literature to indicate how much of an improvement in diagnostic accuracy it offers or what its impact would be on patient management. There is potential for four-dimensional ultrasound to be used inappropriately: by pro-life groups to discourage women from having abortions, or by private clinics to 'enhance parental bonding'. The medical director of a perinatal ultrasound clinic in one US hospital explains that "good medical sonographers can determine 'very little' additional information about the health of the fetus from a 3-D or 4-D ultrasound compared with the traditional two-dimensional image."
Authors' methods: Overview
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/
Year Published: 2002
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
Contact
Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca
Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.