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.

OBJECTIVES: 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. METHODS: Twenty-nine women were included in an in vitro fertilization program. Fourteen women were evaluated after pituitary suppression (basal group), and 15 were scanned on the human chorionic gonadotropin administration day, after gonadotropin ovarian stimulation (stimulated group). A first observer acquired 2 volumes for each ovary. Another observer performed a second analysis of the volumes acquired by the first observer. We analyzed ovarian volume, follicle number in the basal group, vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization-flow index. The volumes were processed by the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis imaging program using plane A and 15 degrees rotational steps. RESULTS: Ovarian volume showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver agreement, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (Intra-CC) and an interclass correlation coefficient (Inter-CC) close to the unit. The Intra-CC and Inter-CC about the number of follicles were 0.964 and 0.978, respectively. Vascularity indices showed an Intra-CC greater than 0.90. The vascularization index and the vascularization-flow index showed higher interobserver than intraobserver reproducibility (Inter-CC > 0.96 for both). The flow index Inter-CC was 0.898. The reproducibility differences between the basal and stimulated ovary measurements were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: There is an excellent intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the ovarian volume, follicle counts, and 3-dimensional PDA indices. The ovarian functional stage has no influence on the reliability. Three-dimensional ultrasonography and PDA improve the study of ovarian parameters, and their reliability impels a change in the current clinical routine of performing and interpreting ultrasonography.     

Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of three-dimensional gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examinations of the cervix in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: To determine intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of three-dimensional (3D) gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examinations of the cervix in pregnant women. METHODS: Thirty-two pregnant women underwent transvaginal 3D gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examination of the cervix by two examiners. Each observer acquired two volumes, and they each analyzed their volumes twice using the commercially available software Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL). The variables analyzed were cervical volume (cm3), vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI). Intraobserver repeatability was expressed as the difference between two measurement results (mean difference +/- 2 SD, i.e. limits of agreement) and as intraclass correlation coefficient (intra-CC). Interobserver agreement was expressed as the difference between the results of the two observers (limits of agreement) and as interclass correlation coefficient (inter-CC). The contribution of various factors (examiner, acquisition, analysis of acquired volume) to intrasubject variance was estimated using different analysis of variance models. All statistical analyses were performed using log-transformed data. The results presented are those obtained after antilogarithmic transformation, i.e. the results are presented as ratios between two results of the same observer, or as ratios between the results of Observer 1 and Observer 2. RESULTS: All intraobserver and interobserver log-transformed differences were normally distributed. There was no systematic bias between the two observers. Both intra- and inter-CC values were high (0.93-0.98) for all variables except FI (0.63-0.88), despite the limits of agreement being wide, especially for VI (widest range 0.4-2.4) and VFI (widest range 0.3-2.6). Acquisition explained most of the intrasubject variance of the flow indices, the contribution of examiner and analysis being unimportant. CONCLUSIONS: Given the wide range between the lower and upper limits of agreement, it would probably not be possible to detect anything but large differences or changes in cervical volume or cervical flow indices using current 3D ultrasound techniques. Because acquisition explained most of the intrasubject variance, the average of several repeated acquisitions should be used to enhance reproducibility. However, it is not worth doing more than one analysis of an acquired volume, because the effect of analysis on measurement results is small.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声对体外受精-胚胎移植卵巢反应性的评估价值

目的 探讨卵巢体积、窦状卵泡数、卵巢基质动脉血流对体外受精与胚胎移植(IVF-ET)中卵巢反应性的预测价值.方法 应用经阴道彩色多普勒超声对131例接受IVF-ET的不孕症患者于控制性超排卵(COH)周期启动日及人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)注射日进行卵巢体积、窦状卵泡数和卵巢基质动脉搏动指数、阻力指数检测.结果 131例患者中临床妊娠49例,妊娠率为37.40%.周期启动日及HCG注射日,妊娠组总卵巢体积、窦状卵泡数均大于未妊娠组(P＜0.05),卵巢基质动脉搏动指数、阻力指数均小于未妊娠组(P＜0.05).结论 经阴道彩色多普勒超声可通过检测卵巢体积、窦状卵泡数和卵巢基质动脉搏动指数、阻力指数,无创性预测卵巢反应性,评估IVF-ET妊娠结局.     

Assessment of endometrial receptivity by transvaginal color Doppler and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures.

The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of transvaginal color Doppler and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography for the assessment of endometrial receptivity. A total of 89 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures were evaluated for endometrial thickness and volume, endometrial morphology, and subendometrial perfusion on the day of embryo transfer. Neither the volume nor the thickness of the endometrium on the day of embryo transfer had a predictive value for conception during in vitro fertilization cycles (P > .05). Patients who became pregnant were characterized by a significantly lower resistance index, obtained from subendometrial vessels by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography (resistance index = 0.53 +/- 0.04 versus 0.64 +/- 0.04, pregnant versus not pregnant, respectively; P < .05), and a significantly higher flow index (13.2 +/- 2.2 versus 11.9 +/- 2.4; P < .05), as measured by a three-dimensional power Doppler histogram. No difference was found in the predictive value of scoring systems analyzing endometrial thickness and volume, endometrial morphology, and subendometrial perfusion by color Doppler and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography. The high degree of endometrial perfusion shown by color Doppler ultrasonography and on three-dimensional power Doppler histograms on the day of embryo transfer can indicate a more favorable endometrial milieu for successful in vitro fertilization.     

Precision of umbilical artery Doppler studies. Intraobserver, interobserver, and biologic variability of fetal Doppler velocimetry

The use of Doppler ultrasound to study fetal blood flow has become commonplace, despite the lack of detailed evaluation of the testing tool for precision. In evaluation of 25 patients, no significant intraobserver differences were found between readings on an individual waveform, nor were there significant differences between different observers on individual waveforms. Temporally separated waveforms within a 30-minute window gave the greatest variation. A multi-way analysis of variance noted significant differences in this category only. This study confirmed the precision of measurements by a single observer and between observers. Only biological alterations over time displayed significant variability.     

Perinatal three-dimensional color power Doppler ultrasonography of vein of Galen aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To present the prenatal and postnatal three-dimensional color power Doppler ultrasonographic features in cases of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation. METHODS: Prenatal three-dimensional color power Doppler ultrasonography was used to image the neurovascular malformations in 3 fetuses with vein of Galen aneurysms and in unaffected control fetuses at the same gestational age. Postnatal transfontanel three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography was also performed in the third affected case and in an unaffected control neonate. The feeding and drainage vessels were analyzed in the three-dimensional rendering mode. RESULTS: The first case was complicated by porencephaly and fetal heart failure, and the pregnancy was terminated. The other 2 cases were uncomplicated prenatally, but 1 of the infants died after aneurysmal embolization due to acute cerebral ischemia. The angioarchitecture of the arteriovenous fistula was characterized in greater detail by three-dimensional color power Doppler ultrasonography than by two-dimensional ultrasonography, especially regarding the anatomic features of the feeding and drainage vessels and their connections with the dilated vein of Galen. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional color power Doppler ultrasonography provided detailed images of the aneurysmal malformation and its vascular connections. Further studies are needed to correlate three-dimensional vascular imaging patterns with outcome.     

Polycystic ovarian syndrome: assessment with color Doppler angiography and three-dimensional ultrasonography.

We conducted a three-dimensional ultrasonographic evaluation of the size and structure of the ovaries of women who had clinical and biochemical findings suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome. We carried out a comparative color Doppler frequency and color Doppler amplitude study of the vascular patterns of these ovaries. This study involved 65 women of reproductive age with polycystic ovary syndrome and 25 eumenorrheic women who were not taking hormonal contraceptives and who had a body mass index below 25 kg/m2. Compared to controls, women with polycystic ovary syndrome had larger ovaries and thicker stroma, increased impedance in the uterine arteries, increased stromal vascularity with decreased impedance that persisted throughout the menstrual cycle, and a lack of luteal conversion.     

Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of 3-dimensional power Doppler vascular indices in assessment of solid and cystic-solid adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of 3-dimensional (3D) power Doppler angiography-derived vascular indices in evaluation of vascularized solid and cystic-solid adnexal masses. METHODS: Stored 3D power Doppler angiographic volume data from 12 consecutive women with a diagnosis of a complex adnexal mass (6 cystic-solid and 6 solid) evaluated and treated at our institution were retrieved from our database for analysis. Two examiners performed the calculations blinded to each other. Calculations were performed offline in a computer using Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis software (plane A, 9 degrees rotation step) to assess volume and vascularization (vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization-flow index) from solid areas within the tumor. In all cases, a definitive histologic diagnosis was obtained. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was assessed by calculating the intraclass and interclass correlation coefficients for each index. RESULTS: All tumors proved to be malignant after surgical removal. Intraobserver reproducibility for both examiners and interobserver reproducibility were high for all indices (interclass correlation coefficient > 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional power Doppler angiography is a reproducible technique for offline assessment of stored 3D volume data of vascularized adnexal masses.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声对体外受精-胚胎移植子宫内膜容受性的评估价值

目的：探讨子宫内膜厚度、类型及子宫动脉血流动力学状态对体外受精与胚胎移植（IVF-ET）中子宫内膜容受性的预测价值。方法：应用经阴道彩色多普勒超声对131例接受IVF-ET的不孕症患者于控制性超排卵（COH）周期启动日及人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）注射日进行子宫内膜厚度、类型及子宫动脉搏动指数（PI）、阻力指数（RI）检测。结果：131例患者中临床妊娠49例，妊娠率为37．40％。周期启动日子宫内膜厚度为3～8mm，HCG注射日子宫内膜厚度为8～17mm时，随着内膜厚度的增加，妊娠率提高。当周期启动日子宫内膜厚度≥9mm及HCG注射日子宫内膜厚度≤7mm或≥18mm时妊娠率为零。三线型子宫内膜患者妊娠率（46．34％）明显高于均质型（22．45％）（P〈0．05）。周期启动日及HCG注射日妊娠组子宫动脉PI、RI均小于未妊娠组（P〈0．05）。结论：经阴道彩色多普勒超声可通过检测子宫内膜厚度、类型及子宫动脉PI、RI，无创性预测子宫内膜容受性，评估IVF-ET妊娠结局。     

Quantification of ovarian Doppler signal in hyperresponders during in vitro fertilization treatment using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography

To test the hypothesis that the increased ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins observed in women embarking on an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment may be due to changes in ovarian stromal blood flow, we undertook this prospective comparative clinical study using three-dimensional (3-D) power Doppler ultrasound (US). The 3-D power Doppler ultrasonographic indexes were used to quantify ovarian stromal blood flow and vascularization in hyperresponders. A total of 58 patients undergoing an IVF cycle were recruited and divided into two groups, a hyperresponder group (n = 23) (peak estradiol > 3000 pg/mL or >/= 15 oocytes retrieved) and normal responders (n = 35), based on their response to a standard down-regulation protocol for controlled ovarian stimulation. During ovarian stimulation, on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration, patients underwent hormonal (serum E2), ovarian volume and 3-D power Doppler (ovarian stroma flow) evaluation. The serum estradiol levels on the day of HCG administration, the number of oocytes retrieved and the ovarian volume were significantly higher in the hyperresponders than in the normal groups. The vascularization flow index (VFI), flow index (FI), and vascularization index (VI), were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the hyperresponders (1.18 +/- 0.60, 50.23 +/- 2.81 and 2.27 +/- 1.08, respectively), compared to the women with a normal response (0.63 +/- 0.61, 43.19 +/- 7.81 and 1.25 +/- 1.18, respectively). Our study may help to explain the excessive response during gonadotropin administration in the hyperresponsive women.     

Endometrial volume and vascularity measurements by transvaginal 3-dimensional ultrasonography and power Doppler angiography in stimulated and tumoral endometria: an interobserver reproducibility study.

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: Forty women underwent 3D-PDA ultrasonography. Group A comprised 25 women scanned on the day after controlled ovarian stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin. Group B comprised 15 patients who had uterine bleeding and questionable endometrial thickening. (Histologic evaluation revealed 10 endometrial cancers and 5 endometrial hyperplasias.) A single observer examined all patients and acquired all volume data sets. Forty volume data sets were then analyzed with the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis program by 2 different observers. Endometrial volume and vascularity indices (vascularization index [VI], flow index [FI], and vascularization flow index [VFI]) of the endometrium and subendometrium were manually calculated in the coronal plane with a 9 degrees rotation step. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess interobserver reliability. RESULTS: Endometrial volume was more reproducible in group A (ICC = 0.98) than in group B (ICC = 0.58) (P < .05). Endometrial and subendometrial VI, FI, and VFI also presented good reproducibility with ICC greater than 0.84. The ICC was not statistically different for endometrial and subendometrial VI, FI, and VFI according to patient group, although subendometrial VFI was less reproducible in group B (ICC = 0.53) than in group A (ICC = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial volume and endometrial and subendometrial 3D power Doppler indices have acceptable reproducibility. The interobserver reproducibility in tumoral endometrium was more similar than in stimulated endometrium. Our results indicate that 3D-PDA is a reliable method to evaluate physiologic and pathologic endometrial changes.     

Normal uterine arterial blood flow in postmenopausal women assessed by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography.

We used transvaginal color Doppler sonography to study uterine artery blood flow velocity waveforms in 345 normal postmenopausal women who had never been on hormone replacement therapy. Our objective was to establish the standard baseline flow values for normal postmenopausal women. The mean pulsatility index was 3.38 +/- 1.04 and the mean resistive index was 0.93 +/- 0.09. There was a positive correlation between arterial blood flow impedance and number of years since menopause. We believe that these levels may become important screening parameters for the detection of endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal women.     

经阴道三维彩色血管能量成像对卵巢良恶性肿瘤的诊断价值

目的:探讨经阴道三维彩色血管能量成像(TV3D-CPA)对卵巢肿瘤的诊断价值及其与恶性肿瘤临床分期的关系。方法:术前应用TV3D-CPA技术检测65例卵巢肿瘤(47例恶性肿瘤,18例良性肿瘤),定量计算肿瘤内血管指数(VI),分析VI值在良、恶性肿瘤中的差异性及其与恶性肿瘤临床分期的关系。结果:卵巢恶性肿瘤VI值(0.080±0.052)条/cm³,明显高于良性组(0.043±0.031)条/cm³(P<0.05)。以VI≥0.035条/cm³诊断卵巢恶性肿瘤敏感性87.8%,特异性75%。Ⅲ、Ⅳ期卵巢恶性肿瘤VI值(0.089±0.037)条/cm³,明显高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ期(0.056±0.04)条/cm³(P<0.05)。结论:应用TV3D-CPA计测VI值是鉴别卵巢良、恶性肿瘤的有效方法。VI值随临床分期的增高而升高,是预后评价的重要指标。     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声诊断子宫肌瘤和子宫肌腺病

目的 探讨经阴道彩色多普勒超声(TVCDU)对子宫肌瘤和子宫肌腺病的诊断价值.方法 应用经阴道彩色超声诊断仪,对45例子宫肌瘤和28例子宫肌腺病患者行术前检查,包括灰阶图像和彩色血流成像;术后均经病理证实.结果 超声检查诊断子宫肌瘤共42例,子宫肌腺病34例.与病理结果对照:3例子宫肌瘤被误诊为子宫肌腺病,6例子宫肌腺病被误诊为子宫肌瘤,子宫肌瘤的诊断符合率为92.8%,子宫肌腺病符合率为82.5%.二维灰阶超声:子宫肌瘤和子宫肌腺病各有特点,子宫肌瘤内部血流丰富,而子宫肌腺病只有星点样血流;子宫肌瘤随着体积的增大,彩色血流的丰富程度也随之增加,而子宫肌腺病不具备上述特征.结论 应用TVCDU二维灰阶成像可鉴别子宫肌瘤和子宫肌腺病,二者的诊断正确率均较高;联合应用灰阶图像及彩色图像,有利于提高诊断的正确率.     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声诊断上皮性卵巢癌准确性探讨

目的　探讨经阴道彩色多普勒超声 (TVCDU )检测卵巢肿瘤血流指标诊断卵巢癌的准确性。方法　测定 60例上皮性卵巢癌 (EOC)及 3 6例良性卵巢上皮性肿瘤的TVCDU各血流参数 ,并应用免疫组化方法检测术后卵巢肿瘤内的微血管密度 (MVD) ,比较EOC组与良性组之间各参数的差异 ,分析TVCDU各参数与MVD的相关性。结果　①EOC组与良性组的动脉显示率、动脉数目、血管分布类型、搏动指数(PI)、阻力指数 (RI)、收缩期与舒张末期血流速度比值 (S/D)、时间平均最大流速 (TAMXV)差异有非常显著性意义 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,动脉频谱有无舒张期切迹差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,收缩期峰值速度 (PSV)的差异无统计学意义 (P =0 .193 )。②EOC组与良性组之间MVD差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 0 1)。EOC组MVD与PI、RI、S/D呈负相关 ,与PSV、TAMXV无明显相关性。结论　TVCDU诊断EOC时 ,血管分布类型、动脉数目及PI、RI、S/D较有意义     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声对绝经后期子宫血流动力学的研究

目的 建立绝经后期子宫各段动脉血流参数的正常参考值范围,方法 应用经阴道彩色多勒对46例正常绝经后妇女的子宫动脉（UTA）,弓状动脉（AA）,放射动脉（RA）以及螺旋动脉（SA）的血流分别进行检测,66例正常生育期子宫和5例子宫内膜癌分别作为对照,结果 绝经后期正常子宫内膜面不见血流信号;UTA和RA的阻力指数（RI）随绝经时间的延长而增加。结论 绝经后期的子宫血流灌注减少,且随绝经后时间的延长而更为明显。     

三维超声容积成像对多囊卵巢综合征的诊断价值

目的探讨三维超声容积成像对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）的诊断价值。方法检测60例PCOS患者和60例正常者的卵巢三维容积、二维面积、血流动力学指标。应用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）比较以上指标的诊断价值。结果PCOS组的卵巢容积、间质容积、卵泡容积、卵巢面积、间质面积及间质面积与卵巢面积之比显著大于对照组；卵巢间质内动脉阻力指数显著低于对照组，收缩期峰值血流速度显著高于对照组；ROC曲线分析表明卵巢容积诊断PCOS的准确率最高。结论三维超声容积成像测量卵巢容积有重要的辅助诊断PCOS的价值，可以作为超声诊断PCOS的指标之一。     

经阴道彩色多普勒超声监测卵泡发育及观察子宫内膜血流变化

目的　观察卵泡发育成熟度及子宫内膜厚度和子宫螺旋动脉血流阻力指数的相互关系。方法 应用经阴道超声监测56例正常月经周期的卵泡发育情况、子宫内膜增殖期厚度及子宫螺旋动脉各项参数。结果　排卵前卵泡直径平均2.1cm,并移至卵巢表面,距卵巢包膜≤1.0cm时即将排卵。子宫内膜相应增厚（达1.4cm),螺旋动脉阻力指数降低(0.45±0.03)。结论　经阴道超声多普勒监测卵泡生长发育,观察子宫内膜厚度及螺旋动脉血流阻力指数,可指导临床提高受孕率。