title: Uncertainties in estimates of lesion detectability in diagnostic ultrasound.
abstract: Statistical properties of estimates of focal lesion detectability for medical ultrasonic imaging systems are investigated. Analytic forms for bias and variance of estimates of detectability of a lesion consisting of fully developed speckle embedded within a speckle background are derived. Bias and variance of estimates of detectability are investigated using a computer simulation and experiments on tissue-mimicking phantoms. This work offers a systematic methodology for interpreting measurements on phantoms in order to assess lesion detectability. In addition, it provides useful results which may be used to improve design of phantoms and experiments for imaging-system performance assessment.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wear
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gagne
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D019719:Diagnostic Equipment; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*