3D fetus fly-through peers inside abnormal bodies

Thanks to MRI techniques, you can see what a baby looks like before it’s born. But now these images can also be used to peer inside the body of a fetus, generating a fly-through of internal tissues that rivals the view you would get from a video.

Developed by Jorge Lopes from the National Institute of Technology (INT) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and colleagues, the system can quickly produce a 3D virtual tour through a region of interest, usually to examine congenital anomalies. Using a combination of software, a doctor can produce a reconstruction after an MRI scan by selecting the camera angle and movement desired. In this video, a view into the lungs and airways of two unborn babies with tumours helped determine if their breathing would be affected after birth.

In addition to virtual models, the team can also produce 3D printed versions of an unborn child (see image above). According to Lopes, physical models can help describe a condition to expectant parents and illustrate surgical procedures required, as well as being useful for blind mothers to get a sense of their baby’s appearance.