Benefits associated with harmonic tissue imaging in the obstetric patient

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the impact of harmonic tissue imaging on image resolution and visualization of fetal structures during obstetric ult rasonography. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with singleton second- or third-trimester fetuses we re recruited. Prospective comparisons of conventional fundamental imaging a nd harmonic tissue imaging were made. Visualization rates and frequencies o f improvement in resolution were calculated. Discriminate function analysis evaluated determinants of improved visualization. RESULTS: Harmonic tissue imaging improved resolution of at least one fetal structure in 51.4% of patients studied. Differences were most marked for 4- chamber views of the heart with improvement in resolution in 30.5% of patie nts and change in ability to visualize in 9.5%. Maternal weight and gestati onal age had a significant influence on whether improvements were noted wit h harmonic tissue imaging, accounting for 27% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: Harmonic tissue imaging offers significant improvements over f undamental imaging in image resolution and structure visualization in obese patients during the second trimester of pregnancy.