ABSTRACT
Spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) was first introduced by DeVore et al. in 2003. It is a unique volume sonographic feature in which a four dimensional (4D) volume of the fetal heart is acquired. Combining a STIC volume with tomographic ultrasound imaging provides invaluable information as well where the image resolution may be enhanced by activating volume contrast imaging. STIC has enabled the off-line consultation with experts for the analysis of stored STIC volumes, which allows the expert to evaluate the fetal heart in a full cardiac cycle at a remote site. STIC has had well-documented utility in the evaluation of the fetal heart throughout gestation. STIC is a unique 4D technique that enables full evaluation of the structure and function of the fetal heart, while it is beating, throughout a full cardiac cycle. In addition, Tomographic ultrasound imaging may be employed to retrieve all the respective anatomical planes out of the volume.
