The use of elastography in placental research - A literature review

Christopher Edwards; Erika Cavanagh; Sailesh Kumar; Vicki Clifton; Davide Fontanarosa

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2020.07.014

The use of elastography in placental research - A literature review

Placenta. 2020 Sep 15:99:78-88. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.07.014. Epub 2020 Jul 18.

Authors

Christopher Edwards¹, Erika Cavanagh¹, Sailesh Kumar², Vicki Clifton³, Davide Fontanarosa⁴

Affiliations

¹ Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia; Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Level 3, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.
² Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia; Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Level 3, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia; University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia. Electronic address: sailesh.kumar@mater.uq.edu.au.
³ Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Level 3, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia; University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
⁴ Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia. Electronic address: d3.fontanarosa@qut.edu.au.

PMID: 32763616
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.07.014

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasound elastography is a technique used to quantify biomechanical changes that occur in parenchymal tissue with disease. Recent research has applied the technique to the placenta in order to investigate changes associated with uteroplacental dysfunction. We performed a literature review to summarise the current available information regarding this novel technique.

Methods: Pubmed, CINAHL and Embase were searched using the terms "placenta", "ultrasound" and "elastography". Only full text studies written in English and limited to placental sonoelastography were included.

Results: Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Publications were divided into in vivo and ex vivo groups, and further categorised into four subgroups: normal pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and other pregnancy complications.

Conclusion: Ultrasound elastography can quantitatively assess biomechanical properties of the placenta in conditions where placental function is compromised.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Female
Humans
Placenta / diagnostic imaging*
Pregnancy
Research
Ultrasonography, Prenatal*