Three-dimensional power Doppler in study of embryonic vasculogenesis

Three-dimensional power Doppler sonography plays an important role in obstetrics, predominantly for assessing the relationship between fetal vascular system and surrounding organs. Presenting volume data in a standard anatomic orientation is valuable for assisting both ultrasonographers and pregnant patients to recognize anatomy more readily. This investigation was designed as an observational cross-sectional study. A group of 25 patients in gestational age of five to eleven weeks were recruited for the study. Architecture of the embryonic vessels was depicted by 3D power flow mapping and analyzed visually. Vascular 3D measurements were done through 3D color/power histogram and expressed by Vascularization Index (VI) and Vascularization Flow Index (VFI). Volume of the embryo increased exponentially throughout the observation period. The VI and VFI showed no change despite an exponential growth of embryonic volume. The findings of our study suggest that in cases of physiologic embryonic vasculogenesis there is a homeostatic steady state between tissue demands and blood supply given through the vascular network.