Color Doppler twinkling artifact in intrauterine fetal demise.
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.
Ozkur
Ayhan
A
Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
Dikensoy
Ebru
E
Kervancioglu
Selim
S
Kervancioglu
Resat
R
Inalöz
Serhat
S
Bayram
Metin
M
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*