Minimally-compressive, three- and four-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the clitoris: A feasibility study

There has been no objective means for imaging the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the clitoris-a poorly understood, complex structure. A Live 3D ultrasound system with a matrix-array transducer was used for data acquisition from eight women. The transducer was positioned in front of and about 3 cull away from the clitoris, with a gel pad or water pad being placed in between. The pads allowed the delicate structures to be imaged without noticeable deformation. Quality images could be obtained with use of a water pad in all patients. The imaging volume was big enough to cover the clitoral glans and body simultaneously, allowing real-time 3D visualisation. To cover the entire clitoris, the probe was moved from one side of the crus to the other, or a four subvolume scan was performed. 3D clitoral anatomy was depicted from 71% of 51 water pad data-sets. The study demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining 3D clitoral ultrasound images. This will improve scientific and clinical understanding of the clitoral role in sexual activity. The minimally-compressive scanning offers an opportunity to visualise dynamic 3D (4D) morphology of other deformable body parts. (c) 2006 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.