Recent advances in the sonographic assessment of vascularity and blood flow in gynecologic conditions.
OBJECTIVE
This overview presents recent advances in sonographic depiction of vascularity and blood flow in the uterus, ovaries, and breasts. Enhanced sonographic visualization and evaluation of intraorgan vascularity has resulted from improved image processing and display. Future advances, such as the use of contrast enhancement, are also mentioned in this overview as one of many topics for future investigation.


METHODS
This is an overview of the topic based on review of the literature and the authors' experience.


RESULTS
Specifically, the sensitivity of color Doppler sonography has been enhanced with the use of amplitude or power Doppler techniques. Spatial depiction of vascularity has improved because of 3-dimensional and "live 3-dimensional" processing.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of more sensitive color Doppler sonography and 3-dimensional imaging provides both anatomic and physiologic assessment of the vascularity and blood flow of the ovary, uterus, and breast.
Fleischer
Arthur C
AC
Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2675, USA. arthur.fleischer@vanderbilt.edu
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001940:Breast / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000639:trends; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000639:trends*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000639:trends; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000639:trends*