3D ultrasound evaluation of the fetal ear – comparison of an xMatrix probe with a conventional mechanical probe

Purpose: New 3D technologies like xMatrix probes promises superiority to conventional mechanical probes and may allow a more detailed and timesaving prenatal diagnosis. In a comparison study we evaluate the fetal ears. The aims of our study were to compare the following aspects of both techniques: (1) the ultrasound detail resolution, (2) the raw data acquisition time (AT) and (3) the influence of covariates. Materials and methods: 3D raw data volumes of the fetal ear were collected with the V6 – 2 (V6) and with the xMatrix (X6) probe and were stored after offline customization to a single picture. Two observers…