[Shear waves elastography of the placenta in pregnant baboon].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate tissue characteristics of the placenta by transabdominal ShearWave Elastography in pregnant baboon.


METHODS
For 9 months (03/2013-12/2013) two operators (EQ, GG) performed ultrasound of the placenta during pregnancy pregnant baboons station partner primatology project. The identification of the placenta was performed previously in 2D ultrasound. The elastography method was then activated. Three measurements were carried out by operator for each placenta. The intraclass correlation coefficients within and between observers were calculated for the objective assessment (elastography) of placental maturity.


RESULTS
During the study period, 21 pregnant baboons were included and ultrasounds were performed between 1 and 3 times each. The measurements have been carried out by two operators in 100% of cases. The intra- and inter-observer ICC for single values are respectively 0.657 - 95% CI (0.548 to 0.752) and 0.458 - 95% CI (0.167 to 0.675). The intra- and inter-observer ICC for average values are respectively 0.852 - 95% CI (0.784 to 0.901) and 0.628 - 95% CI (0.286 to 0.806).


CONCLUSIONS
The study by transabdominal ShearWave Elastography of placenta's pregnant baboons is possible. The intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of this method is good using the average of three measurements. The objective study via elastography ShearWave of the degree of placental maturity seems not yet be used in clinical practice. Studies of larger cohorts are needed.
Unité d'échographie de diagnostic prénatal, hôpital Saint-Joseph, 26, boulevard de Louvain, 13285 Marseille cedex 08, France; Institut de médecine de la reproduction, 6, rue Rocca, 13008 Marseille, France; Laboratoire d'imagerie interventionnelle expérimentale (LIIE), EA 4264, centre européen de recherche en imagerie médicale (CERIMED), faculté de médecine, campus santé/Aix Marseille université, 27, boulevard Jean-Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France. Electronic address: e.quarello@me.com.
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E
Quarello
Station CNRS UPS846 de primatologie, station de primatologie de Rousset-sur-Arc, 13790 Rousset, France.
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R
Lacoste
Inserm, IRD, UMR912 SESSTIM, service biostatistique et technologies de l'information et de la communication, hôpital de la Timone, BiosTIC, AP-HM, Aix-Marseille université, 13385 Marseille, France.
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J
Mancini
Station CNRS UPS846 de primatologie, station de primatologie de Rousset-sur-Arc, 13790 Rousset, France.
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S
Melot-Dusseau
Laboratoire d'imagerie interventionnelle expérimentale (LIIE), EA 4264, centre européen de recherche en imagerie médicale (CERIMED), faculté de médecine, campus santé/Aix Marseille université, 27, boulevard Jean-Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France.
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G
Gorincour
D000818:Animals; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D010215:Papio / Q000502:physiology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
Baboons; Babouins; Elastography; Placenta; ShearWave; Ultrasound; Échographie; Élastographie