B-Flow imaging of the placenta: A feasibility study

Abstract

B-Flow imaging directly displays the flowing intravascular echoes during real-time gray-scale ultrasound without using Doppler techniques. The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of B-Flow imaging in the placenta and to evaluate the artifacts seen on B-Flow imaging. After IRB approval, 36 women (17 normal and 19 high risk women) were enrolled in our study. B-Flow images were acquired on GE LOGIC E9 machine. Retrospective analysis of the B-Flow and cine capture images was performed for artifacts and for vessels visualized. Pregnant women enrolled in the study ranged from 19 to 43 years of age with an average age of 31.7 years. Gestational age varied from 17 weeks and five days to 36 weeks and three days with an average of 26 weeks and three days. From a total of 161 B-Flow images reviewed by one researcher, 15 images were acceptable with no evidence of artifact. The remainder of the images had some artifact in them. For the 36 women with color Doppler and B-Flow images reviewed by the two independent blinded reviewers, a total of 144 reads were obtained. More small horizontal (p = 0.046) and small vertical running vessels (p < 0.001) were identified with B-Flow than color Doppler images. B-Flow is capable of showing perfusion in a human placenta; however, recognizing artifacts and modifying the image acquisition to reduce artifacts is necessary with this new technique to acquire the best images for interpretation.

B‐flow/spatiotemporal image correlation M‐mode: novel ultrasound method that detects decrease in spiral artery luminal diameter in first trimester in primate model of impaired spiral artery remodeling

“…B-flow ultrasound is a non-Doppler technology for assessing vessels of the fetal heart and other organs [14][15][16] . B-flow provides high-contrast resolution for sharp rendering of vessel structure; however, it does not allow for functional measurements.…”

Characterization of Testicular Tumor Lesions in Dogs by Different Ultrasound Techniques

“…In addition, the technique is relatively simple to operate, with fewer parameters to manipulate than color Doppler. B-Flow imaging is very sensitive and in one study of placenta blood flow in women it allowed the visualization of a larger number of small (less than 5 mm) vessels compared to color Doppler [ 41 ]. In our study, B flow allowed the detection of the vascularization patterns in all the lesions considered for the comparative analysis.…”

Ultrasound imaging in thyroid nodule diagnosis, therapy, and follow‐up: Current status and future trends

“…This acquisition method allows for perfusion imaging without using Doppler by tracking the moving speckles in the image and through subtraction identifying changes in those flowing parts which can be visualized 85 . This technique has been used successfully for imaging the perfusion of human placentas 86 as well as in thyroids showing microcalcifications, in addition to flow, which were not visible on normal B‐mode 87 . Variations of non‐contrast enhanced imaging are being developed, solving the need for injecting contrast agents 79,84 .…”