GESTATIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY 3D/4D IN SMALL ANIMALS

Abstract

This review aims to describe the current use of three-dimensional ultrasonography (U.S. 3D/4D) in small animal veterinary obstetrics. The three-dimensional ultrasonography emerged in the 1950s and started to have wider applicability in the areas of obstetrics and gynecology in early 1980. This technique facilitates volumetric study of organs and structures and allow a third image plane enables volumetric calculation more accurately, especially those irregularly shaped bodies. The 4D method is used to evaluate structures and functions via image correlation temporal space. Even being a technique available for more than 30 years in human medicine, in veterinary studies are needed to demonstrate the specificity and sensitivity of the technique in routine obstetric ultrasound of small animals.