title: Comparison of axial reconstructed ultrasonographic images from three-dimensional data volumes and computed tomographic scans in the documentation and detection  of liver lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare axial reconstructed ultrasonographic images from three-dimensional data volumes and conventional computed tomographic scans in documentation and detection of liver lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The livers of 23 patients were examined by a multifrequency curved array transducer to acquire three-dimensional data volumes and by conventional computed tomography The ultrasonographic device was equipped with three-dimensional ultrasonographic technology allowing for real-time parallel movement in every plane within an acquired data volume. Axial ultrasonographic images reconstructed from three-dimensional data volumes were compared with conventional computed tomographic scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When both methods were taken together, a total of 51 different liver lesions could be detected. Reconstructed ultrasonographic images depicted 44 (86%) of 51 lesions, and computed tomographic scans showed 46 (90%) of 51 lesions. Compared with computed tomography, ultrasonography depicted 5 additional lesions in 3 of the patients (4 hemagiomas and 1 unspecified lesion), whereas 7 lesions were missed in another 4 patients (4 metastases, 2 calcifications, and 1 cyst). The Pearson correlation coefficient between ultrasonography and computed tomography was r = 0.84 (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that ultrasonographic images can be effectively reconstructed from three-dimensional data volumes. With respect to documentation and detection of liver lesions, the results obtained by three-dimensional ultrasonography appear comparable with those obtained by conventional computed tomography. However, several technical and procedural limitations have to be respected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Wurzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beissert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jenett
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keberle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jahns
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography