This white paper introduces 3D-ICRV, a novel technique for fetal brain ultrasound that provides detailed visualization of cortical development. Conducted at Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, the study evaluated 294 normal pregnancies between 15 and 35 gestational weeks, using high-resolution ultrasound systems (WS80A, HERA W10) with volumetric transducers.
3D-ICRV combines Inversion, CrystalVue™, and RealisticVue™ rendering to overcome the limitations of 2D ultrasound, particularly acoustic shadowing and limited imaging planes. The method enabled clear visualization of sulci and gyri, allowing sequential tracking of cortical maturation.
Key findings include:
The Sylvian fissure (SF) was consistently visible from 15 weeks, serving as an early and stable landmark.
By 30 weeks, most primary sulci—including the central sulcus, superior temporal sulcus, and frontal sulci—were identified in over 95% of cases.
Morphological evolution, such as opercularization of the insula and formation of the inferior frontal gyrus into Broca’s area, was captured in detail.
The technique also proved effective in identifying abnormal cortical development. Representative cases of dysgyria (linked to TUBB3 mutation), lissencephaly, and polymicrogyria were detected, demonstrating 3D-ICRV’s clinical potential for early prenatal neurosonography.
While image quality can be limited by fetal position or ossification, 3D-ICRV represents a non-invasive, accessible method for visualizing fetal cortical structures, supporting both routine monitoring and targeted evaluation. Its use offers clinicians an advanced tool for assessing neurodevelopment and detecting malformations before birth.
