Application Of Time - Space Correlation Imaging (STIC) In Fetal Aortic Arch And Its Branch Malformation

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinic value of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) technology in diagnosis of fetal aortic coarctation.Methods From January 2013 to Octber 2015,43 fetuses suspected coarctation of the aorta(COA) underwent two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and STIC technology examination. All the fetuses were below 32 weeks’s gestation. Volume datasets were acquired with STIC technology in B-mode, Color Doppler Image and Power Doppler Image. The 4D View software volume datasets were reviewed offline using Multi-Planner (MP), Tomographic Ultrasound Imaging (TUI), Render mode. Visualization rates of three-vessel and trachea view, longitudinal view and coronal view of the aorta arch,longitudinal view of ductal arch were calculated and compared between STIC and 2D echocardiography. Diagnoses by STIC and 2D echocardiography were compared to postnatal diagnoses. The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal echocardiography, CTA for live-born infants and autopsy for terminated fetuses.Results (1) In volume datasets acquired with B-mode, the visualization rates of three-vessel and trachea view, longitudinal view and coronal view of the aorta arch were 95.5%、93.0%、83.7%respectively. The visualization rates of the longitudinal view and coronal view of the aorta arch were improved (P<0.05).(2)In volume datasets acquired with Color Doppler Image,the visualization rates of the longitudinal view of the aorta arch and the longitudinal view of ductal arch were 69.8%、95.3%.The visualization rates of the two views were improved(P<0.05).(3)In volume datasets acquired with Power Doppler Image, STIC technology displayed the locations and degree of aortic coarctation accurately and visually. (4) A total of 43 fetuses of aortic coarctation were diagnosed by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography combined with STIC technology.STIC revised seven cases which were diagnosed interruption of aortic arch by 2D echocardiography.(5)Nine cases were associated with intracardiac malformations including single ventricle, atrioventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle. Twenty-five cases were associated with non-complex intracardiac defects inculding ventricular septal defect and persistent left superior vena cava. Eight cases had additional extracardiac malformations.Conclusions STIC technology is able to show the standardized views in diagnosis of fetal aortic coarctation.STIC technology can be used to diagnosis fetal aortic coarctation accurately and visually.It is helpful to improve the prenatal diagnosis of aortic coarctation and reduce the misdiagnosis.Objective To explore the clinic value of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) technology in diagnosis of fetal interrupted aortic arch.Methods From January 2013 to Octber 2015,35 fetuses suspected interrupted aortic arch (IAA) underwent two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and STIC technology examination. All the fetuses were below 32 weeks’s gestation. Volume datasets were acquired with STIC technology in Color Doppler Image. The 4D View software volume datasets were reviewed offline using Render mode. Diagnoses by STIC and 2D echocardiography were compared to postnatal diagnoses.The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal echocardio-graphy, CTA for live-born infants and autopsy for terminated fetuses.Results A total of 35 fetuses of interrupted aortic arch were diagnosed by 2D echocardiography combined with STIC technology. There were 22 fetuses with IAA type A,12 fetuses with IAA type B and 1 fetus with IAA type C. In 35 cases,2 cases could not comfirm as IAA or serious COA by 2D echocardiography, and then they were diagnosed IAA by STIC. After birth,2 cases were proven to be IAA by CTA.2D echocardiography failed to distinguish the types of IAA in three cases which were revised by STIC:One case which was diagnosed IAA type A by 2D echocardiography was revised IAA type B by STIC.Two cases which were diagnosed IAA type B by 2D echocardiography were revised IAA type A by STIC. All the cases were associated with intracardiac malformations including ventricular septal defect, persistent left superior vena cava, aortopulmonary septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, double outlet right ventricle. Ten cases had additional extracardiac malformations.Conclusions STIC technology can be used to diagnosis and classify fetal interrupted aortic arch accurately and visually.It is helpful for prenatal counseling and early treatment.Objective To explore the clinic value of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) technology in diagnosis of fetal congenital vascular ring.Methods From January 2013 to Octber 2015,116 fetuses suspected congenital vascular ring(CVR) underwent two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and STIC technology examination. All the fetuses were below 32 weeks’s gestation. Volume datasets were acquired with STIC technology in Color Doppler Image. The 4D View software volume datasets were reviewed offline using Render mode. Diagnoses by STIC and 2D echocardiography were compared to postnatal diagnoses.The diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal echocardio-graphy, CTA for live-born infants and autopsy for terminated fetuses.Results A total of 116 fetuses of congenital vascular ring were diagnosed by 2D echocardiography combined with STIC technology. There were 8 fetuses of double aortic arch,72 fetuses of right aortic with aberrant left subclavian artery, 35 fetuses of left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery. One fetus of left pulmonary artery sling was misdiagnosis. Fifteen cases were associated with non-complex intracardiac malformations inculding ventricular septal defect and persistent left superior vena cava. Six cases had additional extracardiac malformations.Conclusions STIC technology can be used to diagnosis and classify fetal congenital vascular ring.STIC technology can display the spatial relationship of congenital vascular ring accurately and visually.