1. Pregnancy Monitoring
- Confirming early pregnancy and intrauterine location.
- Detecting ectopic pregnancies.
- Monitoring fetal heartbeat and viability.
- Measuring fetal crown-rump length (CRL) for dating.
- Assessing fetal growth parameters (e.g., biparietal diameter, femur length).
- Estimating gestational age.
- Evaluating fetal position and presentation.
- Assessing fetal well-being with biophysical profiles.
- Identifying multiple pregnancies (e.g., twins or triplets).
- Monitoring fetal movements and activity.
2. Placental and Uterine Assessment
- Locating the placenta.
- Diagnosing placenta previa.
- Detecting placental abruption.
- Assessing placental blood flow with Doppler.
- Monitoring uterine artery resistance for preeclampsia risks.
- Identifying retained products of conception.
- Evaluating placental insufficiency in high-risk pregnancies.
- Measuring endometrial thickness post-delivery or during fertility assessments.
- Monitoring the position and integrity of intrauterine devices (IUDs).
- Assessing uterine scar thickness after previous C-sections.
3. Fetal Anomalies Detection
- Diagnosing neural tube defects.
- Detecting congenital heart defects using Doppler.
- Identifying abdominal wall defects (e.g., gastroschisis).
- Monitoring for skeletal abnormalities.
- Detecting hydrops fetalis or fetal edema.
4. Gynecological Conditions
- Identifying ovarian cysts and masses.
- Diagnosing uterine fibroids and monitoring their growth.
- Evaluating polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
- Detecting endometriosis-related masses.
- Assessing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Evaluating post-menopausal bleeding causes (e.g., endometrial hyperplasia).
5. Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
- Monitoring ovarian follicles during ovulation induction.
- Guiding oocyte retrieval for IVF procedures.
- Assessing endometrial receptivity for embryo transfer.
- Identifying potential causes of infertility (e.g., tubal blockages).
6. Complications in Pregnancy
- Detecting intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
- Diagnosing oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.
- Identifying umbilical cord abnormalities (e.g., nuchal cord).
- Monitoring blood flow in the umbilical artery.
- Assessing for preterm labor risks via cervical length measurement.
- Diagnosing gestational trophoblastic disease (e.g., molar pregnancy).
7. Procedural Guidance
- Assisting in amniocentesis.
- Guiding chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
- Providing real-time imaging during fetal surgery.
- Assisting in hysterosonography (saline infusion sonography).
- Guiding intrauterine fetal transfusions.
8. Point-of-Care Applications
- Rapid bedside evaluations in emergency settings (e.g., ruptured ectopic pregnancy).
- Facilitating telemedicine consultations with remote image sharing.
- Portable, real-time imaging for rural and underserved areas.
- Monitoring post-surgical complications (e.g., hematomas).
Conclusion
Handheld color Doppler ultrasound is a game-changing tool in OB/GYN, offering real-time, portable imaging for diverse applications. Its ability to combine traditional grayscale ultrasound with Doppler for blood flow visualization enhances diagnostic accuracy, making it invaluable for maternal and fetal care.