Characterization of Pelvic Organs by Doppler Sonography Waveform Shape

The purpose was to describe blood flow waveform of pelvic organs obtained by Doppler according to their unique characteristics. A prospective study was designed and 79 premenopausal and postmenopausal women were screened. Transvaginal ultrasonography combined with color Doppler was performed. Arterial blood flow of the uterus, fallopian tubes and both ovarian center and periphery were assessed, by a unique computerized program exclusively developed for this research (MATLAB language). Waveform characterization was performed by calculating α and β angles, representing upward curve of each waveform and angles of refraction γ and δ. α to δ angles were found significantly different for each of the pelvic organs. Significant differences in the characteristics of Doppler waveforms were also observed between pre and postmenopausal women. Luteal and follicular phase blood flow waveforms were similar. These findings contribute to our ability to classify the origin of blood vessel by processing Doppler waveforms by a computerized method. (E-mail: ralikah@bgumail.bgu.ac.il)