What is Doppler?

Doppler is a form of ultrasound, which measures the speed of red blood cells moving along blood vessels. It takes two principal forms, one, where a colour map of the blood vessels is shown on the conventional ultrasound image (colour Doppler); another where a tracing of the flow is shown on a graph so that the speed of flow can be measured (spectral Doppler). You do not need a separate examination for Doppler; it is done at the same time as the usual ultrasound examination.

Why is Doppler useful?

Blood flow is important because it is the method by which oxygen is transported to body organs and therefore improuves the function of these organs. During a woman’s fertile years there is a fluctuation of blood flow during the menstrual cycle with more blood flow to the uterus in the second half of the cycle to aid implantation of the embryo. An increase in blood flow is also found before ovulation around healthy follicles, which gives anindication of the health of the oocytes (eggs).

Diagnostic power of Doppler ultrasound examination

Doppler Ultrasound assessment of endometrium predicts successful embryo implantation in IVF cycles. In the cases with policystic ovary syndrome there is usually an increase in blood flow in the central part of the ovary (stroma), which reflects the local disturbance in growth hormones. Also the blood flow to the uterus is frequently poor which may explain the high miscarriage rate with this condition. In the cases with fibroids there is usually an increase in blood flow and the higher the flow the greater the chance of fibroids growing. In ovarian cyst cases, a high internal flow indicates an increased risk of malignancy.

Doppler ultrasound imagine of hyperstimulated ovary	Doppler ultrasound imagine of fetal cord

How is 3D ultrasound different from the normal scan?

In conventional 2D scanning the ultrasound image is made up of a series of thin slices and only one slice can be seen at any one time. Although the image is very informative it does not represent the real volume and shape of the object. With 3D ultrasound it is possible to see the object in its real three-dimentional model and to visualise the smallest details and abnormalities. Also, with 3D ultrasound a volume of echos is taken which can be stored digitally and that will give the opportunity for next additional evaluation.

Could 3D scanning be unsafe for my baby?

Despite extensive studies over 30 years ultrasound has not been shown to cause any harm to mother or baby. It is a routine of scanning the pregnancy. In 3D scanning axactly the same type and intensity of ultrasound is used as with conventional scanning.

3D advantages in general:

• Simplify orientation for referring physician patient;
• Reduce study time;
• Complete examination through increased perspective from volume data, better qualitative and quantative information to diagnose effectively;
• Anatomical views not possible with 2D scanning;
• All planes of view reproducible: virtal patient.

3D ultrasound in Obstetrics

• Morphology, malformation, agenesis of the fetus;
• Skeletal dysplasia;
• Evaluation of fetal heart;
• Variety of fetal evaluation: urinary bladder, stomach, cyst;
• Cord insertion using power-Doppler and 3D;
• 3D placenta exact and 3D placental abnormalities.

3D ultrasound imagine of fetal face	3D ultrasound imagine of fetal arm and head

• Exact volume measurement of endometrial hyperplasia;
• Equivalent hysterosonography realization;
• Virtual hysteroscopy, using slicing technique;
• Exact volume measurement of cysts, polips, myoma or fibroma;
• Exact localization and measurement of ovarian and endometrial tumors;
• Gynecological tumor monitoring after treatment (chemotherapy): effectiveness;
• IVD and exact positioning.

Multiplan ultrasound imagine of the uterus	3D ultrasound imagine of stimulated ovary

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound diagnostics has many advantages over the standard two-dimensional one for diagnosing pathological conditions of the mammal glands, in urology, internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics and ophthalmology. 3D echography is a new technology in medicine, which improves the diagnostic possibilities of the ultrasound methods.