Placental Perfusion in the Entire Placenta and With Sonobiopsy by Ultrasound

Images that contributed to the determination of placental volume and 3-DPD indices were obtained at the time of visit. All 3-D scans ultrasound measurements were performed by a Voluson 730 Expert ultrasound machine equipped with a multifrequency probe (2-5 MHz) to acquire images. Each sample was examined using 3-D rendering mode, in which the colour and gray value information was processed and combined to supply 3-D image. For laterally located placentas, the investigator positioned the transducer on a slight lateral inclination to obtain proper images. Power Doppler window was placed over the placenta to map the vascular tree from basal to chorionic plates. The 3-D static volume box was placed over the entire placenta volume. The sweep angle was set at maximum 70°. Each image was recovered from the disk in succession for processing. During gestation, the investigator recorded one sample from each patient.

The two-dimensional (2-D) transabdominal conventional study provided data about fetal position, biometry, body movements and fetal heart rate as well as placental localization. The factorial default setting 'Obstetrics' was applied in 2-D mode.