Learning curve of volume measurements by three-dimensional ultrasound with a rotational multi-planar technique (VOCAL), an in vitro study

摘要

We found that there is no significant learning curve for volume measurements with three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS). Because of the complexity of volume measurements with 3DUS, we expected to find a learning curve.Earlier reports already confirmed the accuracy of volume measurements with 3DUS [1-3]. This study was performed in order to evaluate the learning curve for volume measurements with 3DUS. All volume measurements were performed by six investigators all with broad experience in two-dimensional ultrasound imaging, but without any experience with or knowledge of 3DUS volume measurements.An ultrasound phantom was created and filled with water at room temperature. A latex protective cover for ultrasound transducers was filled with sterile water. This method is used in earlier studies to confirm the reliability of 3DUS volume measurements. The exact volume (21.5 cm3) was measured using water displacement.The object was submerged and scanned with a three dimensional ultrasound device (Kretz Voluson 730, GE Healthcare, UK). The RAB4-8P wide band convex volume probe, a real time 4D-broadband electronic curved-array transducer with a frequency range of 4-8 MHz was used.