title: Minimally-compressive, three- and four-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the clitoris: a feasibility study.
abstract: There has been no objective means for imaging the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the clitoris-a poorly understood, complex structure. A Live 3D ultrasound system with a matrix-array transducer was used for data acquisition from eight women. The transducer was positioned in front of and about 3 cm away from the clitoris, with a gel pad or water pad being placed in between. The pads allowed the delicate structures to be imaged without noticeable deformation. Quality images could be obtained with use of a water pad in all patients. The imaging volume was big enough to cover the clitoral glans and body simultaneously, allowing real-time 3D visualisation. To cover the entire clitoris, the probe was moved from one side of the crus to the other, or a four subvolume scan was performed. 3D clitoral anatomy was depicted from 71% of 51 water pad data-sets. The study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining 3D clitoral ultrasound images. This will improve scientific and clinical understanding of the clitoral role in sexual activity. The minimally-compressive scanning offers an opportunity to visualise dynamic 3D (4D) morphology of other deformable body parts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College London, London, UK. jdeng@medphys.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Naomi S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Crouch
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Creighton
authors.forename: Alfred D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Linney
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todd-Pokropek
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rodeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002987:Clitoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D014867:Water