Improving image quality of mid-trimester fetal sonography in obese women: role of ultrasound propagation velocity.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
; 52(6): 769-775, 2018 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29363850
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The quality of ultrasound images is impaired in obese patients. All ultrasound scanners are calibrated for an ultrasound propagation velocity of 1540 m/s, but the propagation in fatty tissue is slower (in the order of 1450 m/s). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of images obtained with different ultrasound propagation velocity settings during the mid-trimester fetal ultrasound examination in obese patients.METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional study using image sets of four recommended scanning planes collected from 32 obese pregnant women during their mid-trimester fetal scan. Each image set comprised three images obtained successively at three different propagation velocity settings (1540 m/s, 1480 m/s and 1420 m/s). A panel of 114 experts assessed the quality of 100 image sets, grading them from A (most acceptable) to C (least acceptable). Scanning-plane-specific indicators of adiposity (fatty layer thickness, probe-to-organ distance) were analyzed for each scanning plane.RESULTS:
The experts had a mean of 18.1 ± 10.2 years of experience. The grade distribution (A, B, C) differed significantly (P < 0.0001) between the three propagation velocity settings tested; at the lower speed of 1480 m/s, images were most often graded A, while at the conventional speed of 1540 m/s, they were most often graded C. Regardless of the scanning plane, the thicker the fatty layer of the abdominal wall in a given plane, the lower the preferred speed (P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION:
The construction of images taking into account ultrasound propagation velocities lower than 1540 m/s can improve significantly the quality of images obtained during mid-trimester fetal ultrasonography in obese women. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aumento da Imagem
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Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal
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Obesidade
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
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Humans
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Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article