Feasibility and accuracy of a novel automated three-dimensional ultrasonographic analysis system for abdominal aortic aneurysm: comparison with two-dimensional ultrasonography and computed tomography

Abstract

Background: Accurate measurement of the maximum aortic diameter (Dmax) is crucial for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Aortic computed tomography (CT) provides accurate Dmax values by three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction but may cause nephrotoxicity because of contrast use and radiation hazard. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a novel semi-automated 3-D ultrasonography (3-D US) system compared with that of CT as a reference.

Methods: Patients with AAA (n = 59) or individuals with normal aorta (n = 18) were prospectively recruited in an outpatient setting. Two-dimensional ultrasonography (2-D US) and 3-D US images were acquired with a single-sweep volumetric transducer. The analysis was performed offline with a software. Dmax and the vessel area of the Dmax slice were measured with 2-D US, 3-D US, and CT. The lumen and thrombus areas of the Dmax slice were also measured in 40 patients with intraluminal thrombus. Vessel and thrombus volumes were measured using 3-D US and CT.

Results: The Dmax values from 3-D US demonstrated better agreement (R2 = 0.984) with the CT values than with the 2-D US values (R2 = 0.938). Overall, 2-D US underestimated Dmax compared with 3-D US (32.3 ± 12.1 mm vs. 35.1 ± 12.0 mm). The Bland-Altman analysis of the 3-D US values, revealed better agreement with the CT values (2 standard deviations [SD], 2.9 mm) than with the 2-D US values (2 SD, 5.4 mm). The vessel, lumen, and thrombus areas all demonstrated better agreement with CT than with 2-D US (R2 = 0.986 vs. 0.960 for the vessel, R2 = 0.891 vs. 0.837 for the lumen, and R2 = 0.977 vs. 0.872 for the thrombus). The thrombus volume assessed with 3-D US showed good correlation with the CT value (R2 = 0.981 and 2 SD in the Bland-Altman analysis: 13.6 cm3).

Conclusions: Our novel semi-automated 3-D US analysis system provides more accurate Dmax values than 2-D US and provides precise volumetric data, which were not evaluable with 2-D US. The application of the semi-automated 3-D US analysis system in abdominal aorta assessment is easy and accurate.