Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms

TY - JOUR

T1 - Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms

AU - Bredahl, K

AU - Sandholt, B

AU - Lönn, L

AU - Rouet, L

AU - Ardon, R

AU - Eiberg, J P

AU - Sillesen, H

N1 - Copyright © 2015 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PY - 2015/3/1

Y1 - 2015/3/1

N2 - Objective Non-invasive and reproducible size measurements that correlate well with computed tomography (CT) are desirable in the management of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Three dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) technology may reduce inaccuracy because of variations in orientation of the image planes and axis. This study aimed to determine any differences in paired size estimation associated with three 3D-US derived methods using 3D-CT as the gold standard. When CTA was not available, the patients were enrolled anyway to assess 3D-US reproducibility in terms of agreement between two physicians. Methods In the period from 1 March 2013 to 27 February 2014, consecutive patients with a small AAA, <5.5 cm for men and <5.2 cm for women, underwent 3D-US examination and three AAA size measures were obtained: dual plane diameter, diameter perpendicular to the residual sac's centreline and a partial volume. Result In all, 122 consecutive US examinations were performed. Patients were excluded because of inadequate AAA size (n = 11) and for technical reasons (n = 11). Thus, 100 patients (F/M; 20/80) with a median maximum AAA diameter of 46 (range 31-55) mm were analysed. The mean US dual plane diameter and the 3D-US centreline diameter were 2.6 mm and 1.8 mm smaller than the mean 3D-CT centreline diameter, respectively (p =.003). The inter-observer reproducibility coefficient was 3.7 mm for the US dual plane diameter and 3.2 mm for the 3D-US centreline diameter (p = 0.222). For the partial volume, the reproducibility was 8-12%, corresponding to a diameter variability of ±3 mm. The median time used for post-processing of the 3D-US acquisition was 72 (range 46-108) seconds per examination. Conclusion 3D-US demonstrated an acceptable reproducibility and a good agreement with 3D-CT, and has the potential to improve future AAA management through more reliable ultrasound guided size estimates.

AB - Objective Non-invasive and reproducible size measurements that correlate well with computed tomography (CT) are desirable in the management of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Three dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) technology may reduce inaccuracy because of variations in orientation of the image planes and axis. This study aimed to determine any differences in paired size estimation associated with three 3D-US derived methods using 3D-CT as the gold standard. When CTA was not available, the patients were enrolled anyway to assess 3D-US reproducibility in terms of agreement between two physicians. Methods In the period from 1 March 2013 to 27 February 2014, consecutive patients with a small AAA, <5.5 cm for men and <5.2 cm for women, underwent 3D-US examination and three AAA size measures were obtained: dual plane diameter, diameter perpendicular to the residual sac's centreline and a partial volume. Result In all, 122 consecutive US examinations were performed. Patients were excluded because of inadequate AAA size (n = 11) and for technical reasons (n = 11). Thus, 100 patients (F/M; 20/80) with a median maximum AAA diameter of 46 (range 31-55) mm were analysed. The mean US dual plane diameter and the 3D-US centreline diameter were 2.6 mm and 1.8 mm smaller than the mean 3D-CT centreline diameter, respectively (p =.003). The inter-observer reproducibility coefficient was 3.7 mm for the US dual plane diameter and 3.2 mm for the 3D-US centreline diameter (p = 0.222). For the partial volume, the reproducibility was 8-12%, corresponding to a diameter variability of ±3 mm. The median time used for post-processing of the 3D-US acquisition was 72 (range 46-108) seconds per examination. Conclusion 3D-US demonstrated an acceptable reproducibility and a good agreement with 3D-CT, and has the potential to improve future AAA management through more reliable ultrasound guided size estimates.

KW - Aorta, Abdominal

KW - Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal

KW - Aortography

KW - Asymptomatic Diseases

KW - Denmark

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted

KW - Imaging, Three-Dimensional

KW - Male

KW - Observer Variation

KW - Predictive Value of Tests

KW - Prognosis

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Reproducibility of Results

KW - Tomography, X-Ray Computed

U2 - 10.1016/j.ejvs.2014.12.022

DO - 10.1016/j.ejvs.2014.12.022

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25662155

SN - 1078-5884

VL - 49

SP - 289

EP - 296

JO - European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

JF - European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

IS - 3

ER -