[Three dimensional sonography in nuchal translucency measurements between 10th and 14th weeks of gestation].

Our objective was to determine the practical usefulness of 3D transvaginal sonography in nuchal translucency (NT) measurements between 10th and 14th week of gestation. Thirty-six women (18 primiparas) were studied with the use of Kretz Voluson 530 and 730 scanners (Kretztechnik, Zipf, Austria). Two different volume scans were performed in all subjects according to the new 4 steps method proposed by Chung et al (2000). Nuchal translucency of the first and second scan were compared. In all but one (2.7%) cases good quality images were obtained. Mean value of NT of the first and second scan were 1.463 +/- 0.551 mm (SD) and 1.475 +/- 0.556 mm (SD), respectively. The differences as compared by two tailed t-test for paired measurements were not significant (p = 0.668). There was a significant correlation between first and second measurement (r = 0.96), also the interoperator variability was good. Our preliminary study indicates that 3D sonography is a useful tool in nuchal translucency measurements at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. The results, however, need to be prospectively tested in larger population.