• Question: Can the embryo's, when screened in 4D, be shown in sacs other than white?

    Asked by anon-195377 to Gill on 4 Jan 2019.
    • Photo: Gill Harrison

      Gill Harrison answered on 4 Jan 2019:


      That’s an interesting question. I presume you mean on the scan image, in which case we can change the settings to have different tints, but the general way we scan is in black and white for 2D. It’s generally found that black and white is easier to pick up subtle changes in appearances than when viewing in colour.

      Usually ultrasound is black for fluid, white for bone or air and shades of grey for soft tissue, such as the internal organs.

      When scanning in 4D it’s often a more orange / natural skin colour that is used (you can see an example on my profile page under ‘My work’). This helps make the image more realistic looking, particularly for a baby, so that the parents can interpret it better. When that colour is used, the whole image is the same colour, including the sac.

      I hope that answers your question.

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