P15.03: Early visualization and measurement of the pericallosal artery: an indirect sign of the development of the corpus callosum

Abstract

To demonstrate the visualization, directionality and length of the pericallosal artery (PCA) in fetuses between 12 and 20 weeks of gestational age by High definition flow Power-Doppler. The study group consisted of 54 pregnant women who attended our ultrasound unit. Transabdominal and/or transvaginal ultrasound was performed to obtain the optimal angle of a midsagittal section. High definition flow Power-Doppler was used to visualize the PCA, the PRF was regulated by its optimal colour signal. We observed the direction and length of the PCA. The mean average and confidence intervals for the length of PCA were calculated for each week of gestation between the 12th and 20th week. We were able to visualize the PCA in 46 fetuses with a biparietal diameter (BPD) of at least 20 mm. An apparently linear association was found between the length of the PCA, the gestational age of the fetus, and the BPD. The PCA appeared to be a semicircular vessel with an inferoposterior direction. Our data showed an accuracy rate of 100% for the visualization of the PCA with a BPD equal or greater to 20 mm. The presence of a semicircular vessel with an inferoposterior direction and a normal length of the PCA after the 12th week of gestation should exclude a possible disorder of prosencephalic midline development.