Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 20, Issue 9 953-957, Copyright © 2001 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Comparison of axial reconstructed ultrasonographic images from three-dimensional data volumes and computed tomographic scans in the documentation and detection of liver lesions
M. Beissert, M. Jenett, C. Kessler, M. Keberle, R. Jahns and D. Hahn
Department of Radiology, University of Wurzburg, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: To compare axial reconstructed ultrasonographic images from
three-dimensional data volumes and conventional computed tomographic scans
in documentation and detection of liver lesions. METHODS: The livers of 23
patients were examined by a multifrequency curved array transducer to
acquire three-dimensional data volumes and by conventional computed
tomography The ultrasonographic device was equipped with three-dimensional
ultrasonographic technology allowing for real-time parallel movement in
every plane within an acquired data volume. Axial ultrasonographic images
reconstructed from three-dimensional data volumes were compared with
conventional computed tomographic scans. RESULTS: When both methods were
taken together, a total of 51 different liver lesions could be detected.
Reconstructed ultrasonographic images depicted 44 (86%) of 51 lesions, and
computed tomographic scans showed 46 (90%) of 51 lesions. Compared with
computed tomography, ultrasonography depicted 5 additional lesions in 3 of
the patients (4 hemagiomas and 1 unspecified lesion), whereas 7 lesions
were missed in another 4 patients (4 metastases, 2 calcifications, and 1
cyst). The Pearson correlation coefficient between ultrasonography and
computed tomography was r = 0.84 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study
shows that ultrasonographic images can be effectively reconstructed from
three-dimensional data volumes. With respect to documentation and detection
of liver lesions, the results obtained by three-dimensional ultrasonography
appear comparable with those obtained by conventional computed tomography.
However, several technical and procedural limitations have to be respected.
