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What is the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds?

April 26, 2017ultrasounds

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What is the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasounds?

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A 2D ultrasound image provides a black and white photo which is more skeletal looking. A 3D ultrasound takes 2D pictures (slices) at different depths which are processed to produce a full 3D image. 4D ultrasound adds the element of time to the 3D imaging creating a movie.

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2D or rather realtime 2D ultrasound is currently the standard for ultrasonographic screening and diagnosis of fetal anomalies. It has the capability of taking cross sectional views of internal organs making it useful for evaluating internal structural abnormalities. The real-time or “moving picture” component help increase the resolution of the images. 3D add the capability to view the external surfaces of the fetus. There are a few conditions, like cleft lips and certain spinal cord defects, which are easier to demonstrate by 3D than by 2D. The differences in these two modalities are analogous to the differences between x-rays versus photographic pictures. One is designed to view the internal structures and the other to view the external surfaces. 4D ultrasound adds the moving component to the 3D (the fourth dimension being time) similarly to taking a video versus a still picture. Other than a nice view of the fetus in motion, 4D has limited diagnostic values.