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Calibrating Doppler imaging of preterm intracerebral circulation using a microvessel flow phantom
Fleur A Camfferman1, Ginette M Ecury-Goossen2, Jhuresy E La Roche2
1Department of Neonatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|January 29, 2015
Summary
Advanced ultrasound can visualize microvessels in preterm infants, but Doppler velocity estimates need calibration. This study assessed Doppler accuracy for cerebral perfusion in neonates, finding overestimations require correction for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Ultrasound technology
- Neonatal neurology
Background:
- Preterm infants face developmental risks due to limited adaptation to extra-uterine environments.
- Inadequate cerebral perfusion is linked to brain damage in preterm neonates.
- Advanced ultrasound enables microvessel visualization and regional flow assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of Doppler ultrasound for visualizing and estimating flow velocities in preterm cerebral microcirculation.
- To assess the feasibility of using microvessel flow phantoms for in vitro validation of ultrasound techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an in-house developed microvessel flow phantom with varying flow rates.
- Employed an Esaote MyLab70 ultrasound scanner with linear and convex probes.
- Measured flow velocities and vessel diameters in microvessel-mimicking catheters.
Main Results:
- Microvessel mimicking catheters (down to 200 μm) were visualized with a linear probe; velocities <2 cm/s were not depicted with a convex probe.
- Velocity and diameter measurements demonstrated high reproducibility (ICC > 0.914).
- Mean velocity was overestimated up to threefold, particularly at higher velocities, with significant differences noted with steer angle correction and diameter estimation (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound visualization of microvessel-size structures is feasible, yielding reproducible results.
- Significant overestimation of Doppler-derived velocities necessitates calibration for clinical application.
- Development of calibrated ultrasound tools is crucial for objective assessment of regional cerebral perfusion in neonates.
