title: Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-invasive and reproducible size measurements that correlate well with computed tomography (CT) are desirable in the management of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Three dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) technology may reduce inaccuracy because of variations in orientation of the image planes and axis. This study aimed to determine any differences in paired size estimation associated with three 3D-US derived methods using 3D-CT as the gold standard. When CTA was not available, the patients were enrolled anyway to assess 3D-US reproducibility in terms of agreement between two physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period from 1 March 2013 to 27 February 2014, consecutive patients with a small AAA, <5.5 cm for men and <5.2 cm for women, underwent 3D-US examination and three AAA size measures were obtained: dual plane diameter, diameter perpendicular to the residual sac's centreline and a partial volume.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 122 consecutive US examinations were performed. Patients were excluded because of inadequate AAA size (n = 11) and for technical reasons (n = 11). Thus, 100 patients (F/M; 20/80) with a median maximum AAA diameter of 46 (range 31-55) mm were analysed. The mean US dual plane diameter and the 3D-US centreline diameter were 2.6 mm and 1.8 mm smaller than the mean 3D-CT centreline diameter, respectively (p = .003). The inter-observer reproducibility coefficient was 3.7 mm for the US dual plane diameter and 3.2 mm for the 3D-US centreline diameter (p = 0.222). For the partial volume, the reproducibility was 8-12%, corresponding to a diameter variability of ±3 mm. The median time used for post-processing of the 3D-US acquisition was 72 (range 46-108) seconds per examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D-US demonstrated an acceptable reproducibility and a good agreement with 3D-CT, and has the potential to improve future AAA management through more reliable ultrasound guided size estimates.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: kimbobank@yahoo.dk.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Bredahl
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Sandholt
authors: Department of Interventional Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Lönn
authors: Medisys, Philips Research, Suresnes, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Rouet
authors: Medisys, Philips Research, Suresnes, France.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Ardon
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Eiberg
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Sillesen
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: 3D computed tomography; 3D ultrasound; Abdominal; Aortic aneurysm; Three dimensional; Ultrasonography; Volume measurement