New developments in the sonographic assessment of ovarian, uterine, and breast vascularity

Recent developments in ultrasound have presented new opportunities for assessing tissue vascularity and blood flow with ultrasound. These new methods include 3D imaging, power Doppler sonography, a variety of harmonic imaging techniques, ultrasound contrast agents, electronic compounding, and pulse sequencing methods that improve the signal-to-noise relationship as well as structural conspicuity. By using these technological advances, it is now possible to assess macroscopic blood flow in organs and tumors, and to assess changes in flow and vascularity that occur in response to therapeutic efforts. This review article describes and illustrates the concepts and methods used to evaluate vascularity and blood flow in tissues with ultrasound. It describes some of the potential clinical applications of these new techniques in the ovary, uterus, endometrium, adnexal vessels, and breast.