![]() It also allows all images in all planes to be reviewed in cine‐loop, and the complete data volume can be stored, reviewed and manipulated later. With an experienced sonologist, evaluation time may be shortened, especially with complex defects. It improves resolution, offers unlimited images in any plane, allows simultaneous correlation between image planes that are perpendicular to the acquisition plane and 3D rendered images can be reconstructed STIC has many benefits both for screening in the routine anatomy scan, and for further evaluating the heart where an abnormality is suspected. The Spatio‐Temporal Image Correlation (STIC) volume acquisition, can allow rapid depiction of the cardiac anatomy, and with an enthusiastic sonographer can give a quick and accurate depiction of the chambers and major vessels I will outline some of the areas where I have found 3D helpful in my scanning (private practice). Already, there is a proliferation of papers outlining the uses, a lot may stay as research or of academic interest only (hype), but some will translate to real advances in everyday practical fetal ultrasound (helpful). This enthusiasm for 4D scanning should have the effect of improving our (operator) technique, and will also encourage the development of how we use 4D. However, with the advent of high quality real‐time 4D scanners, which are easy to use and have a high rate of successful imaging, there is a sustained enthusiasm of use with colleagues and patients. My experience initially with manually swept 3D was that my personal enthusiasm did not translate widely to either my colleagues or to the public. In fact, it is fair to say that at this time, the technology advances have been so profound that they have left the technique of most of us (human sonologists) way behind. Accompanying the hardware has been a similar explosion in software programming allowing complex manipulation and storage of the data. This lead to 4D (real‐time 3D), and now the development of solid‐state electronically oscillating transducers. The technology began with “hand swept” slice acquisition using standard transducers followed by mechanically oscillating 3D transducers. 3D ultrasound has been the most rapidly evolving technique and technology in fetal ultrasound in the past few years.
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