Medical Policy
Subject: Use of 3-D and 4-D Ultrasound in Maternity Care
Document #: RAD.00038 Current Effective Date:    06/28/2017
Status: Reviewed Last Review Date:    05/04/2017
Description/Scope

This document addresses the use of three-dimensional (3-D) and four-dimensional (4-D) fetal ultrasound in maternity care and does not apply to ultrasound performed for non-pregnancy related conditions. Fetal ultrasound is a test performed during pregnancy, either to assess the gestational age or to evaluate fetal size, position, heartbeat, congenital malformations, suspected multiple fetuses or placental abnormalities. Two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound is most commonly used. The 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds create computer-generated images viewed on a video monitor that provide more detail and almost life-like images of the fetus.  

Note:  Please see the following related document for additional information:

Position Statement

Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:

The use of 3-D or 4-D fetal ultrasound is considered investigational and not medically necessary in all cases.

Rationale

Although 3-D fetal ultrasound can produce more "realistic" and recognizable images than conventional 2-D ultrasound, the clinical significance of this remains unclear. The perceived superiority of 3-D ultrasound for a number of fetal abnormalities has not been definitively established, and 2-D imaging remains the principal diagnostic modality (Meyer-Wittkopf, 2003; Schellpefeffer, 2013; Voss, 2015).

Michailidis and colleagues (2002) noted that real-time 2-D ultrasound is the best way to examine fetal anatomy in the first trimester. A comparison of the diagnostic capabilities of 2-D and 3-D sonography for the study of conjoined twins revealed that 2-D sonography provided more definitive and specific information about shared organs and 2-D sonography is the primary modality for diagnosing and evaluating conjoined twins.

Pretorius (2001) reports that although 3-D ultrasound may be useful in evaluating abdominal abnormalities such as bowel obstruction, gastroschisis, omphalocele, and wall defects secondary to bands, the advantages compared with 2-D ultrasound have not been identified. While 3-D ultrasound may be superior to 2-D ultrasound in demonstrating cleft lip or palate and for accurate identification of the level of spine involvement by a neural tube defect, the significance of this in terms of improved clinical outcomes has not been demonstrated. Dyson and colleagues (2000) performed 3-D ultrasound imaging on 63 women in whom a 2-D study suggested an anomaly and 3-D imaging was thought likely to provide useful information. Obstetrical management was said to "change" in three women (5%) based on the additional information provided by the 3-D study. Two of these "changes" referred to the women's decision regarding termination of the pregnancy because of better clarification of a cleft lip and palate and in the third, where the level of a neural tube defect was better identified, there is no information as to management decisions taken.

Several authors (Timor-Tritsch, 2000; Bubb, 2004) have noted that it is difficult to evaluate the net effect of 3-D ultrasound on obstetric practice and on outcome. They also note that no comparative studies are available to support the superiority of 3-D ultrasound versus 2-D for evaluation of the central nervous system. Although the uterine cervix in pregnancy has become a focus of 3-D ultrasound, insufficient data is available to fully assess the additional clinical advantage of 3-D ultrasound in this context.

While fetal ultrasound may be viewed as a benign imaging format, Whitworth and colleagues (2010) point out that there is still debate concerning the long-term outcomes associated with fetal exposure to ultrasound, particularly when associated with multiple exposures or the use of color Doppler in the first trimester.

Schellpfeffer (2013) states the following about 3-D/4-D fetal ultrasound and souvenir or keepsake fetal imaging:

Unfortunately, 3-D/4-D technology has also spurned a huge industry of non-medical imaging of fetuses, so-called "souvenir imaging of the fetus" or "keepsake fetal imaging." This type of imaging is not condoned by any of the national or international ultrasound organizations for a number of reasons, but continues to flourish throughout the world.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine guideline on ultrasonography in pregnancy (December 2016) include the following:

The technical advantages of three-dimensional ultrasonography include its ability to acquire and manipulate a large number of planes and to display ultrasound planes traditionally inaccessible by two-dimensional ultrasonography. Despite these technical advantages, proof of a clinical advantage of three-dimensional ultrasonography in prenatal diagnosis in general is still lacking. Potential areas of promise include fetal facial anomalies, neural tube defects, fetal tumors, and skeletal malformations for which three-dimensional ultrasonography may be helpful in diagnosis as an adjunct to, but not a replacement for two-dimensional ultrasonography.

In 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted the following regarding fetal ultrasound:

Because of the particular concern for fetal exposures, national and international organizations have advocated prudent use of ultrasound imaging. Furthermore, the use of diagnostic ultrasound for non-medical purposes such as fetal keepsake videos has been discouraged.

The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) (2012) guideline on prenatal care states that 3-D/4-D ultrasound is considered investigational and is not routinely recommended at this time.

In summary, although 3-D and 4-D ultrasound may provide improved imaging for certain areas of fetal anatomy and abnormalities, it has not been demonstrated in clinical studies to result in improved health outcomes when compared to conventional 2-D ultrasound imaging.

Background/Overview

3-D or volume ultrasonography acquires a volume (rather than slice) of ultrasonographic data allowing one to see width, height and depth of images. The images can be captured and saved for later review. This stored data can be reformatted and analyzed in numerous ways. For example, surface rendering involves projecting the surface of a structure onto the screen, which allows curved structures, such as the fetal face, to be viewed in a single image that appears photographic in nature.

Suggested advantages of 3-D ultrasound compared to 2-D ultrasound in obstetrics include the following:

Limitations of 3-D ultrasound of the fetus are as follows:

4-D ultrasonography refers to real-time visualization of 3-D images. The time vector (the fourth dimension) makes it possible to perceive a rapid update of the successive individual images displayed on the monitor at very short intervals which creates the impression of a real time. Fetal movements can be seen, providing a "live action" view. Proposed uses include study of fetal movement, fetal heart, and fetal behavioral states. 4-D ultrasonography is also known as dynamic 3-D sonography.

Definitions

Ultrasound:A screening or diagnostic technique in which very high frequency sound waves are passed into the body, and the reflected echoes are detected and analyzed to build a picture of the internal organs or of a fetus in the uterus.

Coding

The following codes for treatments and procedures applicable to this document are included below for informational purposes. Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code(s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy. Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.

When services are Investigational and Not Medically Necessary:
For the following procedure and diagnosis codes, or when the code describes a procedure indicated in the Position Statement section as investigational and not medically necessary.

CPT  
76376 3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality with image postprocessing under concurrent supervision; not requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation
76377 3D rendering with interpretation and reporting of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality with image postprocessing under concurrent supervision; requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation
76499 Unlisted diagnostic radiographic procedure [when specified as 4-D rendering of fetal ultrasound]
   
ICD-10 Diagnosis  
O09.00-O09.93 Supervision of high-risk pregnancy
O10.011-O16.9 Edema, proteinuria and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
O20.0-O29.93 Other maternal disorders predominantly related to pregnancy
O30.001-O30.93 Multiple gestation
O31.00X0-O31.8X99 Complications specific to multiple gestation
O32.0XX0-O32.9XX9 Maternal care for malpresentation of fetus
O33.0-O33.9 Maternal care for disproportion
O34.00-O34.93 Maternal care for abnormality of pelvic organs
O35.0XX0-O35.9XX9 Maternal care for known or suspected fetal abnormality and damage
O36.0110-O36.93X9 Maternal care for other fetal problems
O40.1XX0-O40.9XX9 Polyhydramnios
O41.00X0-O41.93X9 Other disorders of amniotic fluid and membranes
Z03.71-Z03.79 Encounter for suspected maternal and fetal conditions ruled out
Z34.00-Z34.93 Encounter for supervision of normal pregnancy
Z36 Encounter for antenatal screening of mother
   
References

Peer Reviewed Publications:

  1. Benacerraf BR, Shipp TD, Bromley B. Three-dimensional US of the fetus: volume imaging. Radiology. 2006; 238(3):988-996.
  2. Bubb JA, Mathews AL. What's new in prenatal screening and diagnosis? Prim Care. 2004; 31(3):561-582.
  3. Caughey AB, Lyell DJ, Washington AE, et al. Ultrasound screening of fetuses at increased risk for Down syndrome: how many missed diagnoses? Prenat Diagn. 2006; 26(1):22-27.
  4. Dyson RL, Pretorius DH, Budorick NE, et al. Three-dimensional ultrasound in the evaluation of fetal anomalies. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2000; 16(4):321-328. 
  5. Harris RA, Washington AE, Nease RF Jr, Kuppermann M. Cost utility of prenatal diagnosis and the risk-based threshold. Lancet. 2004; 363(9405):276-282.
  6. Kurjak A, Azumendi G, Andonotopo W, Salihagic-Kadic A. Three- and four-dimensional ultrasonography for the structural and functional evaluation of the fetal face. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007; 19691):16-28.
  7. Meyer-Wittkopf M, Hofbeck M. Two- and three- dimensional echocardiographic analysis of congenital heart disease in the fetus. Herz. 2003; 28(3):240-249.
  8. Michailidis GD, Papageorgiou P, Economides DL. Assessment of fetal anatomy in the first trimester using two- and three-dimensional ultrasound. Br J Radiol. 2002; 75(891):215-219.
  9. Nicolaides KH, Spencer K, Avgidou K, et al. Multicenter study of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21 in 75,821 pregnancies: results and estimation of the potential impact of individual risk-orientated two-stage first-trimester screening. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2005; 25(3):221-226.
  10. Nyberg DA, Hyett J, Johnson JA, Souter V. First-trimester screening. Ultrasound Clin. 2006; 1(2):231-255.
  11. Pretorius DH, Borok NN, Coffler MS, Nelson TR. Three-dimensional ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. Radiol Clin North Am. 2001; 39(3):499-521.
  12. Schellpfeffer MA. Ultrasound imaging in research and clinical medicine. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2013; 99(2):83-92.
  13. Shipp T, Bromley B, Benecerraf B. Is 3-dimensional volume sonography an effective alternative method to the standard 2-dimensional technique of measuring the nuchal translucency? J Clin Ultrasound. 2006; 34(3):118-122.
  14. Souka AP, Pilalis A, Kavalakis I, et al. Screening for major structural abnormalities at the 11- to 14-week ultrasound scan. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006; 194(2):393-396.
  15. Tarsa M, Pretorius DH, D'Agostini D. 3-dimensional obstetric ultrasound: tips of the trade. Ultrasound Clin. 2006; 1(2):321-334.
  16. Timor-Tritsch IE, Platt LD. Three-dimensional ultrasound experience in obstetrics. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2002; 14(6):569-575.
  17. Vos FI, Bakker M, de Jong-Pleij EA, et al. Is 3D technique superior to 2D in Down syndrome screening? Evaluation of six second and third trimester fetal profile markers. Prenat Diagn. 2015; 35(3):207-213.
  18. Yagel S, Cohen SM, Messing B. 3D and 4D ultrasound in fetal cardiac scanning: a new look at the fetal heart. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2007; 29(1):81-95.

Government Agency, Medical Society, and Other Authoritative Publications:

  1. Akkerman D, Cleland L, Croft G, et al. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Routine Prenatal Care. Updated July 2012. Available at: https://www.icsi.org/_asset/13n9y4/Prenatal.pdf . Accessed on March 24, 2017.
  2. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Committee on Obstetric Practice. Committee Opinion #656. Guidelines for diagnostic imaging during pregnancy and lactation. 2016. Available at: https://www.acog.org/-/media/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/co656.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20160328T0825020834 . Accessed on March 24, 2017.
  3. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin #163. Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy. 2016; 127(5):e123-e137.
  4. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)/ American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). Practice Bulletin #175. Ultrasound in Pregnancy. December 2016. Available at: http://www.aium.org/resources/files/PB175_Ultrasound_in_Pregnancy.pdf. Accessed on March 24, 2017.
  5. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). Official Statements. Available at: http://aium.org/resources/statements.aspx. Accessed on March 28, 2016.
    • Keepsake Fetal Imaging. April 1, 2012.
    • Prudent Use in Pregnancy. April, 2012.
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors. December 16, 2014. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm . Accessed on March 24, 2017. 
  7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Radiation Emitting Products. Ultrasound Imaging. Updated July 05, 2016. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm115357.htm. Accessed on March 24, 2017.
  8. Whitworth M, Bricker L, Neilson JP, Dowswell T. Ultrasound for fetal assessment in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(4):CD007058.
Index

3-D Ultrasound in Obstetrics
4-D Ultrasound in Obstetrics
Dynamic Three-Dimensional Fetal Sonography
Four-Dimensional Ultrasound in Obstetrics
HD Live or HDlive Ultrasound
Three-Dimensional Ultrasound in Obstetrics

Document History
Status Date Action
Reviewed 05/04/2017 Medical Policy & Technology Assessment Committee (MPTAC) review. Updated Rationale and Reference sections.
Reviewed 05/05/2016 MPTAC review. Updated Description, Rationale, Background, Index and Reference sections. Removed ICD-9 codes from Coding section.
Reviewed 05/07/2015 MPTAC review. Description, Rationale and Reference sections updated. Websites section removed.
Reviewed 05/15/2014 MPTAC review. Description, Rationale, Background, Definition, Reference and Index sections updated.
Reviewed 05/09/2013 MPTAC review. Description, Rationale and Reference sections updated.
Reviewed 05/10/2012 MPTAC review. Rationale and References updated.
Reviewed 05/19/2011 MPTAC review. References updated.
  10/01/2010 Updated Coding section with 10/01/2010 ICD-9 changes.
Reviewed 05/13/2010 MPTAC review. References updated.
Reviewed 05/21/2009 MPTAC review. References and coding updated.
Reviewed 05/15/2008 MPTAC review. References updated.
  02/21/2008 The phrase "investigational/not medically necessary" was clarified to read "investigational and not medically necessary." This change was approved at the November 29, 2007 MPTAC meeting.
Reviewed 05/17/2007 MPTAC review. References and coding updated; removed CPT 76375 - deleted 12/31/2005.
Reviewed 06/08/2006 MPTAC review. References updated. 
  01/01/2006 Updated Coding section with 01/01/2006 CPT/HCPCS changes
Revised 07/14/2005 MPTAC review. Revision based on Pre-merger Anthem and Pre-merger WellPoint Harmonization.
Pre-Merger Organizations Last Review Date Document Number Title
Anthem, Inc. 04/27/2004 RAD.00013 Nuchal Translucency and Use of 3-D and 4-D Ultrasound in Maternity Care
WellPoint Health Networks, Inc. 09/23/2004 4.09.04 Three-Dimensional Ultrasound in Obstetrics