The role of Doppler evaluation of the uterine artery in girls around puberty.
BACKGROUND
Presently, the only sonographic parameters used to follow puberty in girls are size and morphology of the uterus and ovaries. Doppler of the uterine artery appears a useful complementary parameter to follow puberty.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential contribution of Doppler evaluation of the uterine artery in girls around puberty.


METHODS
We investigated 61 healthy female volunteers aged 2-15 years (mean 10.3 years). In each girl we performed a standard pelvic transabdominal US examination, including measurement of the uterus and ovaries. Uterine arteries were visualized by colour Doppler and a pulsed signal was obtained in each patient. The blood flow velocity waveform was analysed and the pulsatility index (PI) was calculated. Growth of the uterus and ovaries was plotted against age, and the PI was compared to each of the other studied variables (age, size of uterus, volume of ovaries).


RESULTS
We observed a strong negative correlation between the PI of the uterine artery and the usually studied variables. We also observed a progressive modification of the Doppler signal pattern of the uterine artery during the establishment of puberty: the narrow systolic flow waves found in prepubertal girls were progressively replaced by a systolic-diastolic flow wave.


CONCLUSIONS
The demonstration of diastolic flow can confirm the onset of puberty.
Ziereisen
F
F
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Avenue J J Crocq, 15, 1020 Brussels, Belgium. sky95576@skynet.be
Heinrichs
C
C
Dufour
D
D
Saerens
M
M
Avni
E F
EF
D000293:Adolescent; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development