RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of ultrasound images acquired by the new PureWave Crystal transducer with those acquired by a conventional transducer in 'difficult' obstetric subjects. METHODS: A predefined list of ultrasound images were obtained from 35 'difficult' obstetric patients using both conventional and new PureWave Crystal transducers by a sonographer. All images were rated using a three-point scale by an independent assessor. Both the sonographer and assessor were experienced in obstetric ultrasound and blinded to the type of transducers being used. A higher score represented better image quality. The scores of each pair of images obtained by the two different ultrasound transducers were compared. RESULTS: The scores for images obtained by the PureWave Crystal transducer were significant higher than those by a conventional transducer, among all 10 structures examined. The new transducer was rated to enable higher diagnostic confidence (82.9%), and produced better image quality for the near field image (94.3%), the far field image (88.6%) and overall (94.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound transducer incorporating the PureWave Crystal technology produces significantly better image quality for diagnostic purpose in difficult obstetric patients.