A Comparative Study on a Novel Quality Assessment Protocol Based on Image Analysis Methods for Color Doppler Ultrasound Diagnostic Systems

Abstract

Color Doppler (CD) imaging is widely used in diagnostics since it allows real-time detection and display of blood flow superimposed on the B-mode image. Nevertheless, to date, a shared worldwide standard on Doppler equipment testing is still lacking. In this context, the study herein proposed would give a contribution focusing on the combination of five test parameters to be included in a novel Quality Assessment (QA) protocol for CD systems testing. A first approach involving the use of the Kiviat diagram was investigated, assuming the diagram area, normalized with respect to one of the gold standards, as an index of the overall Doppler system performance. The QA parameters were obtained from the post-processing of CD data through the implementation of custom-written image analysis methods and procedures, here applied to three brand-new high-technology-level ultrasound systems. Experimental data were collected through phased and convex array probes, in two configuration settings, by means of a Doppler flow phantom set at different flow rate regimes. The outcomes confirmed that the Kiviat diagram might be a promising tool applied to quality controls of Doppler equipment, although further investigations should be performed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed approach.

Dimensional assessment in bioarchaeology applications: a preliminary study on quality controls in 3D printing of human skulls

“…An uncertainty analysis was also conducted based on the main sources of error, these included the uncertainty on the pixel resolution of the CT images, while the uncertainty of the measurement image analysis was evaluated by a Monte Carlo simulation [23][24][25][26] with 10 4 iterations where the grey level threshold value for the mask of the replicas was made to vary randomly through a uniform distribution with ± 5% bounds. For a first estimation of the overall measurement uncertainty, shown in Table 3 and in Table 4, the above two uncertainty contributions were combined together by applying the uncertainty propagation law.…”

Novel quality assessment protocol based on Kiviat diagram for pulsed wave Doppler diagnostic systems: first results

“…In diagnostic ultrasound (US), Quality Assessment (QA) protocols are deemed necessary in order to monitor the performance level of the imaging equipment over time and detect any non-conformities [1][2][3]. Progressive worsening of US system performance usually occurs as a slow worsening of the image quality that could impact clinical decision, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis [4][5][6][7].…”

“…Although several professional organizations attempted to define guidelines for ultrasound QA over the years [9][10][11][12], a shared worldwide reference standard has yet to be developed [1,13]. This is associated, among other factors, with the presence of diverse performance parameters, and with the lack of a comprehensive approach to QA [1,3,13]. On this point, Kiviat diagrams have been introduced in [3] to effectively combine experimental test parameters for Color Doppler QA.…”

“…This is associated, among other factors, with the presence of diverse performance parameters, and with the lack of a comprehensive approach to QA [1,3,13]. On this point, Kiviat diagrams have been introduced in [3] to effectively combine experimental test parameters for Color Doppler QA. By calculating the diagram area, it is possible to provide a comprehensive indicator of Color Doppler system performance.…”

“…From these considerations, the present study aims at providing the first results of the application of the integrated method proposed in [3] to quantify the overall performance of Pulsed Wave Doppler (PWD) diagnostic systems. Tests were carried out on an intermediate technology level ultrasound system equipped with a linear array probe operating at two Doppler frequencies.…”