title: Factors affecting image quality and diagnostic efficacy in abdominal sonography: a prospective study of 140 patients.
abstract: A study was undertaken to evaluate the limitations of abdominal sonography in a group of predominantly elderly patients. In the majority of patients (98%) sonography, using 3.5 MHz and 5 MHz array transducers permitted visualization of the major abdominal organs with image quality sufficient for definitive diagnosis, but improved image quality would be desirable in 78% of this sample. Obesity and immobilization were associated with poor sonographic image quality. In 31 of the 45 (69%) poor image quality studies, no near-field artifacts (less than 3 cm depth) were observed. Obstacles in the acoustic path were noted in 77% of the poor image quality studies.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Technology Laboratories, Bothell, Washington 98041-3003.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shmulewitz
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teefey
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005205:Fascia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking; D016683:Supine Position; D014463:Ultrasonography