title: Color Doppler twinkling artifact in intrauterine fetal demise.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether twinkling artifacts on color and power Doppler sonography could be used as a new sonographic sign of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 24 consecutive pregnant women with IUFD were included after fetal sonographic examinations. Sonographic examination included gray-scale, color, power, and spectral Doppler imaging. The sonograms were then analyzed for the presence, appearance, and intensity of the twinkling artifacts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twinkling artifacts on color Doppler were observed in all of the 24 IUFD as a rapidly changing color Doppler signal complex associated persistently with different parts of the fetal body. The artifacts were localized especially in the neck, back, and iliac regions. Artifact intensity correlated with the time elapsed since death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twinkling artifact was noted in all dead fetuses on color, power, and spectral Doppler examinations. Thus, the observation of these artifacts may be considered as a new sonographic sign of fetal demise, which may reflect the time elapsed since death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozkur
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dikensoy
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kervancioglu
authors.forename: Resat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kervancioglu
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inalöz
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*