Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography to asses maternal and fetal structures in pregnant ewes "Gestational elastography in ewes".

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stiffness of fetal lungs, liver, kidneys, and placentomes by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in ovine and to correlate obtained findings with fetal development. Twenty-four ewes were included and tissue stiffness of fetal lung, liver, kidney, and placentome were measured beginning with 10th gestational week by qualitative-quantitative ARFI elastography. A total of 33 healthy lambs were born. Qualitative elastographic analysis permitted to classify maternal and fetal tissues elasticity in decreasing order as follows: placentome, kidney, liver, and lung. Regarding quantitative ARFI elastography data, shear wave velocity (SWV) of fetal lung and liver varied. The lung SWV decreased gradually from the 16th to the 21st gestational week (R2 = 0.80; P < 0.001), while liver SWV increased gradually from the 14th to 21st gestational week (R2 = 0.80; P < 0.001). In contrast, the kidneys and placentomes SWV's remained constant through gestation (P = 0.076; and 0.34). ARFI elastography was shown feasible for evaluation of maternal and fetal tissues stiffness in the ovine model. It can be used to demonstrate pulmonary and hepatic stiffness modifications during fetal development. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.