Update on Color Flow Imaging in Obstetrics

Abstract

Color flow imaging (CFI), being non-invasive, is commonly used in obstetrics to study the fetal and placental circulations. The conventional CFI modes include color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and power Doppler imaging (PDI). In recent years, there is increasing use of new modes, including high-definition flow imaging (HDFI), radiant flow, microvascular flow imaging (MVFI), and three-/four-dimensional rendering in glass-body mode. Compared to CDFI, HDFI can show a higher resolution and sensitivity and allow the detection of slower flows. MVFI increases the sensitivity to fine or low-flow vessels while producing little or no motion artifacts. Radiant flow shows the blood flow with a sense of depth and reduces blood overflow. Glass-body mode, showing both gray-scale and color-flow information, can demonstrate the heart-cycle-related flow events and the vessel spatial relationship. In this review, the characteristics and applications of the various CFI modes in obstetrics are discussed. In particular, how these new technologies are integrated in detailed diagnostic and early morphology scans is presented.

Fetal Aortic Blood Flow Velocity and Power Doppler Profiles in the First Trimester: A Comprehensive Study Using High-Definition Flow Imaging

“…HDFI, on the other hand, assigns color ba the measured Doppler shift without considering the direction or velocity [10]. Com to Color Doppler flow images, HDFI exhibit superior resolution and sensitivity [11 When evaluating the aortic isthmus, two sonographic planes are typically us traditional longitudinal aortic arch (LAA) view and the cross-sectional three vess trachea (3VT) view. The 3VT view is often considered quicker to obtain and less cally challenging to visualize, as it is commonly included in routine heart examin However, it lacks the simultaneous visualization of the head and neck vessels an on the waveform of the aortic isthmus for gate placement guidance, especially in t ond trimester.…”

“…HDFI, on the other hand, assigns a color based on the measured Doppler shift without considering the direction or velocity [10]. Compared to Color Doppler flow images, HDFI exhibits superior resolution and sensitivity [11,12].…”

“…This technology has proven to be a valuable tool by combining the sensitivity of Power Doppler with directional flow information. Consequently, it enhances the visualization of fine details and improves blood flow sensitivity within the specific anatomy of interest [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The utilization of HDFI contributes to a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of blood flow dynamics in the AI during the early stages of gestation.…”

Mixed chorangioma of the placental disk of a 29-year-old pregnant woman: A case report with literature review

“…This indeed calls for further research, given that these further fetal effects features could not be evaluated in our case. In terms of diagnosis, Chorangiomas, particularly the large ones, are often detected incidentally during 3,26,27 routine obstetric ultrasound examinations. On ultrasound, they appear as hypoechoic or echogenic Interestingly, the ultrasound scan performed in this case could not detect the Chorangioma present in the placental disk, this may be because of its small size rather than lack of expertise thereof.…”

Fluorescence, ultrasonic and photoacoustic imaging for analysis and diagnosis of diseases

“…DUS imaging can be divided into pulsed wave, 119 continuous wave, 121 high pulsed repetition frequency, 122 and multi-point selection Doppler, 123 as well as the commonly-used color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). 124 Because of the high sensitivity of DUS imaging in the detection of moving objects, blood flow information for many organs and parts of the human body can be obtained by DUS imaging technology. In the clinic, DUS examination can be exploited for effectively detecting cerebrovascular diseases, and the timely diagnosis of intracranial and extracranial vascular narrowing obstruction, arteriovenous malformation, and vasospasm.…”