4-D Ultrasound Breakthroughs in Diagnostic Imaging

Ultrasound is a medical technique that is often used during the course of a pregnancy to provide three dimensional images of the fetus. There are 2D and 3D scanning modes in medical and obstetric ultrasound. 2D scanning is the common obstetric diagnostic mode . 3D ultrasound reconstructs a three dimensional volume image of the fetus with height, width and depth in the image, but no movement.

But 4D ultrasound is pretty much like a movie, almost like taking a peek inside the womb. It allows the expectant mother to get up, close and personal with the baby, watching its every move in real time and even in color. The features of the fetus are visible with the 4D ultrasound technology, and the parents are very pleased when they are able to see the unborn child's eyes, ears, nose and cheeks.

Medical practitioners envision 4D ultrasound as the new technology that will someday replace the traditional 2D imaging. Since it pleases parents no end to see the baby's face in the ultrasound, requests for 4D ultrasound scans abound. There are companies all across America advertising 4D ultrasound services.

But the FDA and American College of Radiology take the position that fetal ultrasound requires a prescription from an appropriately licensed provider and should be performed strictly for medical purposes. Parents are advised to proceed with caution when they consider 4D ultrasound, as the machine is intended for diagnosis and not entertainment. If an ultrasound is performed for non-diagnostic purposes and if an abnormality is found, there are currently very little guidelines on how to handle it.

Doctors use 4D ultrasound when they want to delve further into suspected abnormalities evidenced by the 2D images. Since the 4D images are recorded in real time and are in color, the doctors are able to see the baby in motion and observe the internal organs at work. This enables detection of skeletal anomalies and congenital defects in the fetus. If abnormalities are detected early enough, it allows the family some time to prepare and appropriately plan for the baby's birth.

Insurance may or may not cover the cost of 4D ultrasound depending on the medical necessity. If you go to a free-standing 4D ultrasound center, experts advise you to choose one that has board certified physicians supervising with licensed sonographers who perform the ultrasound.