Luis T. Mercé

Three-dimensional power Doppler vascular sampling: a new method for predicting ovarian cancer in vascularized complex adnexal masses.

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of a new concept (“vascular sampling”) as a third step to discriminate benign and malignant lesions in B‐mode and color Doppler sonographically suggestive adnexal masses.

Intraobserver and Interobserver Reproducibility of Ovarian Volume, Antral Follicle Count, and Vascularity Indices Obtained With Transvaginal 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography, Power Doppler Angiography, and the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis Imaging Program

The purpose of this study was to assess intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the parameters of ovarian response and oocyte ability, studied by 3‐dimensional ultrasonography and power Doppler angiography (PDA), and the possible influence of the ovarian functional stage.

Color Doppler sonographic assessment of placental circulation in the first trimester of normal pregnancy.

Our aim was to study placental circulation during the first trimester of normal pregnancy. For this purpose, 108 single pregnancies from 4 to 15 gestational weeks were evaluated through conventional Doppler ultrasonography. The flow velocity waveforms from the retrochorionic arteries (spiral‐radial arteries) and the umbilical artery were assessed using the peak systolic velocity, resistive index, and pulsatility index). Intervillous flow velocity waveform was evaluated from the maximum velocity. The earliest color signal from the retrochorionic circulation was registered at 4.5 weeks along with gestational sac visualization. The venous Doppler signal from the intervillous space and the Doppler signal from the umbilical artery were recorded with an embryo visible from the end of week 5 onward. The retrochorionic, intervillous, and umbilical peak systolic velocities increase, whereas the resistive and pulsatility indices decrease progressively during early pregnancy with a significant correlation with gestational age. Similarly, intervillous maximum velocity gradually increases throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Despite some methodologic problems related to Doppler technology and the vessels studied color Doppler sonography appears to be an adequate tool to assess the physiologic changes in the placental circulation during early pregnancy.

Endometrial Volume and Vascularity Measurements by Transvaginal 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography and Power Doppler Angiography in Stimulated and Tumoral Endometria An Interobserver Reproducibility Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate interobserver reproducibility of endometrial volume and vascular indices of the endometrium and subendometrial area estimated by 3‐dimensional power Doppler angiography (3D‐PDA) using the Virtual Organ Computer‐Aided Analysis program, determining the influence of the endometrial growth etiology on measurements.

Clinical Usefulness of 3-Dimensional Sonography and Power Doppler Angiography for Diagnosis of Endometrial Carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess whether endometrial volume (EV) and 3‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler indices can discriminate between hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma and can predict extension of the endometrial carcinoma.

Three-Dimensional Volume Sonographic Study of Fetal Anatomy Intraobserver Reproducibility and Effect of Examiner Experience

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3‐dimensional (3D) sonography in assessing fetal anatomy and to determine the intraobserver reproducibility and the effect of examiner experience. Methods. Three‐dimensional volumes of the head, face, thorax, and abdomen were obtained for 40 fetuses. The volume data sets obtained were explored offline with multiplanar navigation and tomographic ultrasound imaging on a personal computer. Each case was examined twice by the same observer at least 3 months apart. The percentage for identification of fetal anatomic structures, 2‐dimensional (2D) and 3D measurements, and the time spent on 2D and 3D examinations were calculated and compared. Results. Ninety‐two percent of fetal anatomic structures were identified with multiplanar navigation and tomographic ultrasound imaging. The genitals, the entry of the vena cava, and the ears were visualized in less than 70% of cases. Tomographic ultrasound imaging allowed viewing of 14 structures not seen in the multiplanar study. Intraobserver agreement for anatomic examinations was good (κ = 0.78). Intraobserver agreement for fetal measurements showed differences between both examinations that approached 0 and intraclass correlation indices close to 0.9. The mean 2D scanning time ± SD was 10.11 ± 2.5 minutes, and the acquisition time for the 3D volumes was 1.54 ± 0.35 minutes. The total time for the second 3D study was 7.23 ± 1.17 minutes, significantly shorter than the 9.96 ± 1.53 minutes spent on the first study (P < .001). Conclusions. Three‐dimensional volumes are highly effective for complete fetal anatomic surveys. They show excellent intraobserver reproducibility and take less time to study as the examiners experience increases.