title: SWAVE Imaging of Placental Elasticity and Viscosity: Proof of Concept.
abstract: The placenta is the interface between the fetus and the mother and is vital for fetal development. Ultrasound elastography provides a non-invasive way to examine in vivo the stiffness of the placenta; increased stiffness has previously been linked to fetal growth restriction. This study used a previously developed dynamic elastography method, called shear wave absolute vibro-elastography, to study 61 post-delivery clinically normal placentas. The shear wave speeds in the placenta were recorded under five different low-frequency mechanical excitations. The elasticity and viscosity were estimated through rheological modeling. The shear wave speeds at excitation frequencies of 60, 80, 90, 100 and 120 Hz were measured to be 1.23 ± 0.44, 1.67 ± 0.76, 1.74 ± 0.72, 1.80 ± 0.78 and 2.25 ± 0.80 m/s. The shear wave speed values we obtained are consistent with previous studies. In addition, our multi-frequency acquisition approach enables us to provide viscosity estimates that have not been previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Abeysekera
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Manyou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pesteie
authors.affiliation: Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Terry
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pugash
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hutcheon
authors.affiliation: Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lampe
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Septimiu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salcudean
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: rohling@ece.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rohling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033081:Shear Strength / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014783:Viscosity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Placenta; SWAVE; Shear wave; Shear wave absolute vibro-elastography; Ultrasound elastography; Young's modulus