Edwin Quarello1,2,3, Romain Lacoste4, Julien Mancini5,6, Sandrine Melot-Dusseau4, Guillaume Gorincour3. 1. Unité d'échographie de diagnostic prénatal, Hôpital Saint Joseph, Marseille, France. 2. Institut de Médecine de la Reproduction, Marseille, France. 3. LIIE (Laboratoire d'Imagerie Interventionnelle Expérimentale) - CERIMED - Faculté de Médecine, Campus Santé/Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France. 4. Station CNRS UPS846 de primatologie, Rousset-en-Arc, France. 5. Service Biostatistique et Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (BiosTIC), Hôpital de la Timone, APHM, Marseille, France. 6. Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, IRD, UMR912 SESSTIM, Marseille, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of transabdominal ShearWave(TM) elastography of fetal organs in pregnant baboons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal ultrasounds of all pregnant baboons in a single primate research center were performed prospectively during 9 months. The visualization of fetal targeted organs (liver, proximal and distal lungs, brain white matter and periventricular gray matter) was initially performed using 2D ultrasound, and then elastography mode was activated. For each organ, three measurements were carried out by two operators. Intra-observer and inter-observer intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period (03/2013-12/2013), 21 pregnant baboons (21 fetuses) were included. One to three ultrasound scans were performed for each fetus. The measurements were feasible by the two operators in all cases. The intra-observer and inter-observer ICC were 0.654, 95% CI (0.606 to 0.699) and 0.645, 95% CI (0.553 to 0.721) respectively. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal ShearWave(TM) Elastography of fetal organs can be achieved in pregnant baboons. The intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility is correct but vary according to the targeted organs.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of transabdominal ShearWave(TM) elastography of fetal organs in pregnant baboons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fetal ultrasounds of all pregnant baboons in a single primate research center were performed prospectively during 9 months. The visualization of fetal targeted organs (liver, proximal and distal lungs, brain white matter and periventricular gray matter) was initially performed using 2D ultrasound, and then elastography mode was activated. For each organ, three measurements were carried out by two operators. Intra-observer and inter-observer intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period (03/2013-12/2013), 21 pregnant baboons (21 fetuses) were included. One to three ultrasound scans were performed for each fetus. The measurements were feasible by the two operators in all cases. The intra-observer and inter-observer ICC were 0.654, 95% CI (0.606 to 0.699) and 0.645, 95% CI (0.553 to 0.721) respectively. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal ShearWave(TM) Elastography of fetal organs can be achieved in pregnant baboons. The intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility is correct but vary according to the targeted organs.