Citation Information :
Superb Microvascular Imaging Generation 4 for Depiction of Fetal Peripheral Microvessels. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2022; 16 (4):329-334.
Objective: To demonstrate fetal peripheral microvessels using superb microvascular imaging generation 4 (SMI Gen4). Materials and methods: A total of 20 healthy fetuses were studied to depict peripheral microvessels using SMI Gen4 with a transabdominal linear probe (5–18 MHz) at 13–36 weeks of gestation. Results: Fetal intracranial vessels were clearly identified early in the second trimester of pregnancy. Superficial temporal and anterior auricular arteries could be recognized. The adrenal microvasculature was also evident. Microvessels of the fingers could be noted. Moreover, microvessels of the thigh, knee, foot, and digital vessels of the toes could be clearly identified. Conclusion: Superb microvascular imaging generation 4 (SMI Gen4) will be a breakthrough approach for the depiction of fetal peripheral microvessels and organ microvasculature. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to ascertain the clinical relevance of SMI Gen4 in clinical fetal medicine and future fetal research.
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