title: Three-dimensional color power imaging of the fetal hepatic circulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the use of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography to identify vascular congenital anomalies of fetal portosystemic and umbilical venous systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, the hepatic and umbilical venous systems were examined in 390 fetuses with two-dimensional ultrasonography, color, and spectral Doppler imaging. Fetuses suspected to have anomalies of the portal system and ductus venosus were additionally examined with three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vascular anomalies were identified in 8 fetuses (absent ductus venosus, n=4; direct connection between the umbilical vein and the right atrium, n=2; and direct connection between the umbilical vein and the inferior vena cava, n=2) out of the 310 in which the venous system could be adequately imaged (prevalence=2.6%). Three-dimensional power Doppler imaging showed the course of the umbilical vein, its relationship to the portosystemic circulation, and whether a ductus venosus was present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography can be used to image normal fetal hepatic and portal circulation, as well as identify anomalies of the fetal portosystemic and umbilical venous systems.
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalache
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Goncalves
authors.forename: Tinnakorn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chaiworapongsa
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.forename: Marjorie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Treadwell
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008102:Liver Circulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging