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Open Access 01-11-2019 | Ultrasound | Ultrasound

Intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of US point shear-wave elastography in various organs: evaluation in phantoms and healthy volunteers

Authors: Riwa Kishimoto, Katsuhiko Kikuchi, Atsuhisa Koyama, Jeff Kershaw, Tokuhiko Omatsu, Yasuhiko Tachibana, Mikio Suga, Takayuki Obata

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 11/2019

Abstract

Purpose

This study was conducted in order to assess the intra- and interoperator reproducibility of shear-wave speed (SWS) measurement on elasticity phantoms and healthy volunteers using ultrasound-based point shear-wave elastography.

Materials and methods

This study was approved by the institutional review board. Two operators measured the SWS of five elasticity phantoms and seven organs (thyroid, lymph node, muscle, spleen, kidney, pancreas, and liver) of 30 healthy volunteers with 1.0–4.5 MHz convex (4C1) and 4.0–9.0 MHz linear (9L4) transducers. The phantom measurements were repeated ten times, while the volunteer measurements were performed five times each. Intra- and interoperator reproducibility was assessed. Interoperator reproducibility was also evaluated with the 95% Bland–Altman limits of agreement (LOA).

Results

In phantoms, all intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were above 0.90 and the 95% LOA between the two operators were less than ± 18%. In volunteers, intraoperator ICCs were > 0.75 for all regions except the pancreas. Interoperator ICC was above 0.75 for the right lobe of the liver (depth 4 cm) and the kidney, but the 95% LOA was less than ± 25% only for the liver.

Conclusion

Although excellent in phantoms, interoperator reproducibility was insufficient for all regions in the volunteers other than the right hepatic lobe at a depth of 4 cm. Clinicians should be aware of the 95% LOA when using SWS in patients.

Key Points

• Our phantom study indicated a high reproducibility for shear-wave speed (SWS) measurements with point shear-wave elastography (pSWE).

• In volunteers, intraoperator reproducibility was generally high, but the interoperator reproducibility was not high enough except for the right hepatic lobe at 4 cm depth.

• To evaluate interoperator reproducibility, the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) between operators should be considered in addition to the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

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Title: Intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of US point shear-wave elastography in various organs: evaluation in phantoms and healthy volunteers
Authors: Riwa Kishimoto
Katsuhiko Kikuchi
Atsuhisa Koyama
Jeff Kershaw
Tokuhiko Omatsu
Yasuhiko Tachibana
Mikio Suga
Takayuki Obata
Publication date: 01-11-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Ultrasound
Ultrasound
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 11/2019
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06195-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of US point shear-wave elastography in various organs: evaluation in phantoms and healthy volunteers

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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