title: Three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm necks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the accuracy of an automated analysis system for measuring lumen diameter and neck lengths of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images and to describe additional features associated with 3-dimensional (3D) IVUS imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two aortic aneurysms were studied with IVUS. Lumen diameters obtained using the automated analysis system were compared with manual measurements from axial IVUS scans, as were neck lengths obtained using automated analysis versus those measured with the aid of a displacement sensing device. Automated analyses were repeated by a second observer. Agreement was expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty proximal aortic, 6 distal aortic, and 3 iliac necks were available for analysis. Comparison between automated analysis and manual measurements for lumen diameter revealed a difference of 0.45 +/- 0.42 mm (mean +/- SD, Pearson's r = 0.99, p < 0.001, CV = 2.1%) and a difference of 0.05 +/- 0.12 cm (r = 0.99, p = 0.04, CV = 4.1%) for neck length. Interobserver difference for lumen diameter was 0.13 +/- 0.66 mm (r = 0.99, p < 0.001, CV = 3.4%) and 0.05 +/- 0.11 cm for length measurements (r = 0.99, p = 0.02, CV = 3.5%). The 3D IVUS imaging facilitated the identification of neck configuration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Automated analysis of IVUS images allows accurate measurement of the lumen diameter of proximal and distal AAA necks and gives length measurements comparable to those of manual analysis. Longitudinal display of IVUS images aids in the elucidation of neck anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt and the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Essen
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gussenhoven
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Blankensteijn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honkoop
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: van Sambeek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Lugt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*