Freehand three-dimensional Doppler demonstration of monochorionic vascular anastomoses in vivo: a preliminary report

Abstract

Objectives: To demonstrate the three-dimensional vascular anatomy of monochorionic placental anastomoses in vivo, both arterioarterial and arteriovenous.

Design: Two-dimensional placental mapping techniques were used to locate arterioarterial and arteriovenous anastomoses. A freehand sweep was performed across the anastomotic site, and multiple images were stored to disk, at 17 Hz. These were then segmented to show only color information (vascular flow) using purpose-designed software (CQ analysis) and the files reconstructed into a three-dimensional volume, for multidirectional viewing and movie generation.

Results: Both arterioarterial and arteriovenous anastomoses could be visualized in detail. Reconstruction of a dual volume of gray-scale and segmented color images allowed recreation of the vascular anatomy within the placental substance, as well as retention of the original directional flow information.

Conclusions: Detailed anastomotic anatomy can be demonstrated three dimensionally in vivo. Given the increasing evidence implicating various anastomotic configurations in pathological intertwin transfusion, this technique may prove useful in the antenatal assessment and treatment of monochorionic twin pregnancies.