Prognostication of the abdominal aortic aneurysm with a novel three-dimensional ultrasonographic analysis system and its comparison with computed tomography

Abstract

\n \n \n Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Self\n \n \n \n An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening condition and the risk of rupture is higher with the increased maximum diameter (Dmax) and expansion rate. Therefore, AAAs require regular monitoring of Dmax. The most commonly used imaging technique for measuring AAA size is two-dimensional ultrasonography (2-D US), closely followed by computed tomography (CT).\n Purpose\xa0:\n This study sought to evaluate the accuracy of a novel semi-automated 3-D ultrasonography (3-D US) system and its comparison CT as a reference.\n Methods\xa0:\n A total of 66 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were prospectively recruited in an outpatient setting. Two-dimensional ultrasonography (2-D US) and 3-D US images were attained with a single-sweep volumetric transducer. Dmax and the vessel area of the Dmax slice were measured with 2-D US, 3-D US, and CT. The vessel, lumen, and thrombus areas of the Dmax slice were also measured using 3-D US and CT.\n Results\xa0:\n It was found that the Dmax values from the 3-D US demonstrate better agreement (R2 = 0.971) with the CT values than with the 2-D US values (R2 = 0.929). Overall, 2-D US underestimated Dmax compared with 3-D US (30.8 ± 13.1mm vs. 34.4 ± 11.6 mm). The vessel, lumen, and thrombus areas all demonstrated better agreement with CT than with 2-D US (R2 = 0.988 vs. 0.961 for the vessel, R2 = 0.879 vs. 0.829 for the lumen, and R2 = 0.963 vs. 0.849 for the thrombus).\n Conclusion\xa0:\n Our study concludes that our novel semi-automated 3-D US analysis system provides more accurate Dmax values and volumetric data as compared to the 2-D US. The application of the semi-automated 3-D US analysis system in an abdominal aorta assessment is easy and accurate.\n Abstract Figure. Comparison of AAA on three modalities\n