Assessment of fetal malformations in the first trimester of pregnancy by three-dimensional ultrasonography in the rendering mode. Pictorial essay.

We present our experience in the contribution of three-dimensional ultrasonography, using the rendering mode, to the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies including neurological defects (acrania/anencephaly, encephalocele, holoprosencephaly), facial anomalies (cyclopia and facial clefts), abdominal wall defects (omphalocele and gastroschisis) and defects of extremities (fetal muscle-skeletal dysplasias). Three-dimensional ultrasonography may contribute to improve the prenatal diagnosis with further revision of the fetal images, allowing a better prenatal counsel to the parents.