The Role of Three Dimensional Ultrasonography in Female Infertility

Ultrasonography has been a valuable diagnostic tool in most fields of medicine since the early 1970s and it is widely used by physicians in clinical practice. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound has the ability to visualize only sagittal and transverse planes. 5eflections are obtained in transverse planes in 2D ultrasounds while at certain angles in three-dimensional (3D) ultrasounds thus the images produced by 3D ultrasounds are more accurate. However, translation of 2D scan to 3D scan takes time (approximately 15 minutes). One of the new applications in this field is automatic measurements with soіwDre called sonography-based automated volume calculation (SonoAVC). Нe application of SonoAVC is employed in observation of follicle growth in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and in pregnancy for evaluation for embryo and fetus. In recent years, 3D ultrasonography has been actively used in follow-up of in vitro fertilization procedures and evaluation of infertile patient. Moreover there is literature suggesting 3D ultrasonography as an alternative to invasive procedures such as hysteroscopy [1]. Furthermore, 3D ultrasonography is not only used in COH but also in evaluation of ovarian and uterine pathologies and congenital syndromes. Also there is increasing evidence that 3D sonography yields highest reliability for ovarian and follicular volume [2-4]. Нe aim of this review is to analyse the recent update of application of 3D ultrasonography in female infertility