This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Benacerraf, B. R. Articles by Bromley, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Benacerraf, B. R. Articles by Bromley, B.

Improving the Efficiency of Gynecologic Sonography With 3-Dimensional Volumes

A Pilot Study

Departments of Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (B.R.B., T.D.S.), and Departments of Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital (B.B.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts USA.

Address correspondence to Beryl R. Benacerraf, MD, Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, PC, 333 Longwood Ave, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02115 USA.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) sonography can provide a rapid, efficient, and accurate way to do a transvaginal gynecologic scan compared with traditional 2-dimensional (2D) sonography. Methods. Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent gynecologic sonography formed the study cohort. After a standard 2D transvaginal scan was done, including measurements of the endometrium and abnormalities, 4 volume acquisitions were obtained, encompassing the uterus (2 volumes) and the ovaries. These volumes were reviewed offline without any patient information. Endometrium and other measurements were performed on the volumes. The 2D and 3D results were compared by paired t tests. Results. The mean time needed for the standard 2D scan was 2.6 minutes compared with 1.07 minutes for the 3D volume acquisitions. The mean time for the reconstruction, measurement, and interpretation of the volumes offline was 1.19 minutes. The mean time for the entire 3D examination (both parts) was 2.26 minutes (P = .047, comparing 2D with total 3D). There was no significant difference between the measurements of the endometrium, fibroids, and ovarian cysts when comparing 2D and reconstructed 3D images. Two-dimensional and 3D sonography differed little in their ability to identify the organs and the abnormalities on the scans. Conclusions. This study shows that a complete transvaginal gynecologic examination can be done in 1.07 minutes of scan time and interpreted offline in an additional 1.19 minutes. The 35 cases were scanned and interpreted with the use of 3D sonography in 79.17 minutes total compared with 91.46 minutes of 2D scan time (P = .047). The accuracy of the scan was similar for both techniques.

Key Words: efficiency comparison • gynecologic scan • ovaries • 3-dimensional sonography • transvaginal sonography

Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography • MRI, magnetic resonance imaging • 3D, 3-dimensional • 2D, 2-dimensional

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. R. Benacerraf Why Has Computed Tomography Won and Ultrasound Lost the Market Share of Imaging for Acute Pelvic Conditions in the Female Patient? J. Ultrasound Med., March 1, 2010; 29(3): 327 - 328. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Wilson, C. Gupta, M. Eliasziw, and A. Andrew Volume Imaging in the Abdomen With Ultrasound: How We Do It Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2009; 193(1): 79 - 85. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Alcazar, R. Galvan, S. Albela, S. Martinez, J. Pahisa, M. Jurado, and G. Lopez-Garcia Assessing Myometrial Infiltration by Endometrial Cancer: Uterine Virtual Navigation with Three-dimensional US Radiology, March 1, 2009; 250(3): 776 - 783. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Kocakoc, A. Kiris, I. Orhan, A. K. Poyraz, H. Artas, and F. Firdolas Detection of Bladder Tumors With 3-Dimensional Sonography and Virtual Sonographic Cystoscopy J. Ultrasound Med., January 1, 2008; 27(1): 45 - 53. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Jandzinski, E. van Wijngaarden, V. Dogra, S. G. Fisher, A. Conde, and D. Rubens Renal Sonography With 2-Dimensional Versus Cine Organ Imaging: Preliminary Results J. Ultrasound Med., May 1, 2007; 26(5): 635 - 644. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hagel and S. G. Bicknell Impact of 3D Sonography on Workroom Time Efficiency Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2007; 188(4): 966 - 969. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Crade, B. R. Benacerraf, T. D. Shipp, and B. Bromley Improving the Efficiency of Gynecologic Sonography With 3-Dimensional Volumes * Reply J. Ultrasound Med., June 1, 2006; 25(6): 813 - 813. [Full Text] [PDF]