TY - JOUR
T1 - MicroV Technology to Improve Transcranial Color Coded Doppler Examinations
AU - Malferrari, Giovanni
AU - Pulito, Giuseppe
AU - Pizzini, Attilia Maria
AU - Carraro, Nicola
AU - Meneghetti, Giorgio
AU - Sanzaro, Enzo
AU - Prati, Patrizio
AU - Siniscalchi, Antonio
AU - Monaco, Daniela
PY - 2018/7/1
Y1 - 2018/7/1
N2 - The purpose of this review is to provide an update on technology related to Transcranial Color Coded Doppler Examinations. Microvascularization (MicroV) is an emerging Power Doppler technology which can allow visualization of low and weak blood flows even at high depths, thus providing a suitable technique for transcranial ultrasound analysis. With MicroV, reconstruction of the vessel shape can be improved, without any overestimation. Furthermore, by analyzing the Doppler signal, MicroV allows a global image of the Circle of Willis. Transcranial Doppler was originally developed for the velocimetric analysis of intracranial vessels, in particular to detect stenoses and the assessment of collateral circulation. Doppler velocimetric analysis was then compared to other neuroimaging techniques, thus providing a cut-off threshold. Transcranial Color Coded Doppler sonography allowed the characterization of vessel morphology. In both Color Doppler and Power Doppler, the signal overestimated the shape of the intracranial vessels, mostly in the presence of thin vessels and high depths of study. In further neurosonology technology development efforts, attempts have been made to address morphology issues and overcome technical limitations. The use of contrast agents has helped in this regard by introducing harmonics and subtraction software, which allowed better morphological studies of vessels, due to their increased signal-to-noise ratio. Having no limitations in the learning curve, in time and contrast agent techniques, and due to its high signal-to-noise ratio, MicroV has shown great potential to obtain the best morphological definition.
AB - The purpose of this review is to provide an update on technology related to Transcranial Color Coded Doppler Examinations. Microvascularization (MicroV) is an emerging Power Doppler technology which can allow visualization of low and weak blood flows even at high depths, thus providing a suitable technique for transcranial ultrasound analysis. With MicroV, reconstruction of the vessel shape can be improved, without any overestimation. Furthermore, by analyzing the Doppler signal, MicroV allows a global image of the Circle of Willis. Transcranial Doppler was originally developed for the velocimetric analysis of intracranial vessels, in particular to detect stenoses and the assessment of collateral circulation. Doppler velocimetric analysis was then compared to other neuroimaging techniques, thus providing a cut-off threshold. Transcranial Color Coded Doppler sonography allowed the characterization of vessel morphology. In both Color Doppler and Power Doppler, the signal overestimated the shape of the intracranial vessels, mostly in the presence of thin vessels and high depths of study. In further neurosonology technology development efforts, attempts have been made to address morphology issues and overcome technical limitations. The use of contrast agents has helped in this regard by introducing harmonics and subtraction software, which allowed better morphological studies of vessels, due to their increased signal-to-noise ratio. Having no limitations in the learning curve, in time and contrast agent techniques, and due to its high signal-to-noise ratio, MicroV has shown great potential to obtain the best morphological definition.
KW - contrast enhancement
KW - MicroV
KW - morphological vessel resolution
KW - transcranial color coded Doppler
KW - transcranial power Doppler
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85046374834&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85046374834&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jon.12517
DO - 10.1111/jon.12517
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85046374834
VL - 28
SP - 350
EP - 358
JO - Journal of Neuroimaging
JF - Journal of Neuroimaging
SN - 1051-2284
IS - 4
ER -