3D Sonograms

What is a 3D sonogram? Good question. 3D sonograms are simply a collection of a 2D ultrasound images at various angles combined through software on an attached computer to create a volume image collection or 3D image.  A common misconception is that 3D and/or 4D ultrasound is a more powerful modality (scan) than common 2D ultrasound.  Yet, because the 3D image is created from 2D ultrasound, it is just as safe as 2D ultrasound. (Moreover, the FDA regulates the programmed frequencies of all machines before they can be manufactured and sold.) Often times, such software that produces these images have the capability of “coloring” the 3D image to a common sepia color tone. In more simplistic terms, look at it like a standard 2D ultrasound machine with a computer attached to it. The standard 2D ultrasound machine renders the 2D image and transfers it to the onboard computer where the 3D/4D software coverts the 2D image into a vivid 3D picture, and integrates a sepia tone color to make it look more flesh tone. All this is done at the speed of the attached computer and generates it back on the screen for your viewing.