M Issaoui1, A Debost-Legrand2, K Skerl1, B Chauveau3, B Magnin3, A Delabaere2, L Boyer3, M-P Sauvant-Rochat4, D Lémery5. 1. CNRS-UMR 6602, institut Pascal, université Clermon-Auvergne, Axe TGI, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. 2. CNRS-UMR 6602, institut Pascal, université Clermon-Auvergne, Axe TGI, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Pôle Femme et Enfant, centre hospitalier universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France. 3. CNRS-UMR 6602, institut Pascal, université Clermon-Auvergne, Axe TGI, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Pôle radiologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France. 4. CNRS-UMR 6602, institut Pascal, université Clermon-Auvergne, Axe TGI, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Pôle Femme et Enfant, centre hospitalier universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Département de santé publique et environnement, université Clermont-Auvergne, faculté de pharmacie, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. 5. CNRS-UMR 6602, institut Pascal, université Clermon-Auvergne, Axe TGI, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Pôle Femme et Enfant, centre hospitalier universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Electronic address: dlemery@chu-clermontferrand.fr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To identify the effects of shear wave elastography in the fetus for evaluation in widespread use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Health Risk Assessment method proposed by the National Research Council was used with literature to evaluate the safety of shear wave elastography for the fetus regarding its potential effects in human tissues. RESULTS: The experimental and epidemiologic data from 25 articles showed that shear wave elastography maintained the same thermal effect as pulsed Doppler ultrasound already authorized in obstetrics, and that cavitation effect on fetal tissue is improbable. Nonetheless, the vibratory character of shear waves could induce displacement of fetal tissue while potential effects of very short duration energy peaks of the radiation force focused wave front remain unknown. CONCLUSION: The actual knowledge does not provide enough information to assess the effects of shear wave elastography on fetal tissues, thus these points have to be explored by further experimental studies.
PURPOSE: To identify the effects of shear wave elastography in the fetus for evaluation in widespread use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Health Risk Assessment method proposed by the National Research Council was used with literature to evaluate the safety of shear wave elastography for the fetus regarding its potential effects in human tissues. RESULTS: The experimental and epidemiologic data from 25 articles showed that shear wave elastography maintained the same thermal effect as pulsed Doppler ultrasound already authorized in obstetrics, and that cavitation effect on fetal tissue is improbable. Nonetheless, the vibratory character of shear waves could induce displacement of fetal tissue while potential effects of very short duration energy peaks of the radiation force focused wave front remain unknown. CONCLUSION: The actual knowledge does not provide enough information to assess the effects of shear wave elastography on fetal tissues, thus these points have to be explored by further experimental studies.