Evaluation the added transverse planes in normal fetal upper mediastinum
by new color imaging technique in fetal echocardiography
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of
a new scanning procedure in fetal cardiac screening by 6 planes in the
upper mediastinum. Methods: This is a prospective study. 123 normal
fetuses without extracardiac abnormalities or CHD were enrolled in this
study totally. Two sonographers with similar experience were trained for
one month about how to obtain the added planes. Sonographer A used Color
Doppler combined with the radiant flow (Color-R-flow) while sonographer
B used high definition flow imaging combined with the radiant flow
(HD-R-flow) to display 6 planes in the upper mediastinum. The difference
between these two color modalities in subgroups of different fetal
positions (supine, prone, and lateral position) was also discussed.
Results: HD-R-flow has higher detection rates of the 6 planes than
Color-R-flow. The differences presenting for the left innominate vein
and azygos vein (LIV and AzV) view, bilateral subclavian arteries (BSA)
view, and the bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) view were
significant (P<0.01). The results also demonstrated that
HD-R-flow showed significantly higher detection rates than the
Color-R-flow for the LIV and AzV view and the BITA view of the fetuses
in the supine and lateral position, and BSA view of fetuses in lateral
position. Conclusion: The current study introduced an enhanced scanning
procedure to assess vessels in the fetal upper mediastinum. A new
color-imaging technique was used to better show tiny vessels. This has
confirmed its value in showing a satisfactory detection rate for the 6
cardiac planes.