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Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Doppler in Reproductive Medicine

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Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine

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Abstract

Ultrasound examination of the endometrium is a non-invasive method to evaluate endometrial receptivity during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. A good blood supply towards the endometrium is usually considered to be an essential requirement for implantation and assessment of endometrial blood flow may therefore predict the outcomes of IVF treatment. Doppler study of uterine vessels is usually considered to indicate the blood flow towards the endometrium. When Doppler flow was measured by two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound, pulsatility index of uterine vessels has a high negative predictive value and sensitivity (in the ranges of 88–100 % and 96–100 % respectively) and a relatively higher range of positive predictive value and specificity (44–56 % and 13–35 % respectively) when compared with endometrial thickness and pattern. Endometrial and subendometrial blood flows can now be more objectively and reliably measured with three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound. Doppler study of uterine arteries measured by 2D ultrasound does not reflect the blood flow to the endometrium measured by 3D ultrasound. Conflicting results are reported with regard to their role in the prediction of pregnancy in IVF treatment. It has also been demonstrated that the endometrial and subendometrial blood flow measured by 3D ultrasound on the days of hCG and embryo transfer and the percentage change in these parameters between these 2 days were not predictive of pregnancy in IVF treatment. Ovarian stromal blood flow measured by 2D and 3D power Doppler ultrasound had no predictive value for the ovarian response during IVF treatment. For the time being, 2D and 3D Doppler study of the endometrium and the ovary has no definite benefit in routine patient care in IVF treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Ernest Hung Yu Ng MD, FRCOG (UK)

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  1. Ernest Hung Yu Ng MD, FRCOG (UK)
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Correspondence to Ernest Hung Yu Ng MD, FRCOG (UK) .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

    Laurel Stadtmauer

  2. Institute for Human Reproduction, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Ilan Tur-Kaspa

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Ng, E.H.Y. (2014). Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Doppler in Reproductive Medicine. In: Stadtmauer, L., Tur-Kaspa, I. (eds) Ultrasound Imaging in Reproductive Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9182-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9182-8_3

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