Assessing the accuracy and reliability of ultrasonographic three-dimensional parathyroid volume measurement in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a comparison with the two-dimensional conventional method

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy and reliability of the semi-automated ultrasonographic volume measurement tool, virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), for measuring the volume of parathyroid glands.MethodsVolume measurements for 40 parathyroid glands were performed in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by chronic renal failure. The volume of the parathyroid glands was measured twice by experienced radiologists by two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) methods using conventional sonograms and the VOCAL with 30°angle increments before parathyroidectomy. The specimen volume was also measured postoperatively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the absolute percentage error were used for estimating the reproducibility and accuracy of the two different methods.ResultsThe ICC value between two measurements of the 2D method and the 3D method was 0.956 and 0.999, respectively. The mean absolute percentage error of the 2D method and the 3D VOCAL technique was 29.56% and 5.78%, respectively. For accuracy and reliability, the plots of the 3D method showed a more compact distribution than those of the 2D method on the Bland-Altman graph.ConclusionThe rotational VOCAL method for measuring the parathyroid gland is more accurate and reliable than the conventional 2D measurement. This VOCAL method could be used as a more reliable follow-up imaging modality in a patient with hyperparathyroidism.

Comparison between 3-dimensional cranial ultrasonography and conventional 2-dimensional cranial ultrasonography in neonates: impact on reinterpretation

“…Recent advances in US technology have introduced 3-dimensional (3D) cranial US (3DUS), which acquires complete data sets within the volume of interest using various methods: free-hand acquisition with a tracking system, acquisition with a motor-driven 3D transducer, and acquisition with a 2D matrix array transducer [ 6 ], thereby allowing a comprehensive understanding of anatomical structures and disease entities, as well as the reconstruction of other planes [ 7 ]. Publications have acknowledged the success of 3DUS in the fields of obstetrics and cardiology and the diagnosis of prostate and breast disorders [ 2 , 5 , 7 - 9 ]. Furthermore, the 3DUS technique can enable the almost complete and consistent acquisition of volume data without missing regions, which in turn may improve the diagnostic confidence of interpreters, thereby overcoming the limitations of 2DUS [ 10 ].…”

Dimensional disparity between duplex and intravascular ultrasound in the assessment of iliac vein stenosis

“…Measurements in 2-D have been frequently observed to be smaller than 3-D measurements in a variety of other regions. [36][37][38] Regardless of the precise reason, the metric disparity between B-mode and IVUS is an empiric fact that needs to be reckoned with in clinical decision making. Individual laboratories should cross-check the validity of their duplex iliac vein measurements against IVUS or CT venography-based measurements.…”

FGF23 and primary hyperparathyroidism: is there a link?

“…After surgical excision of the previously localised parathyroid adenoma, the craniocaudal, mediolateral, and anteroposterior diameters were measured, and the volume of the adenoma was calculated as an ellipsoid equation [12,13].…”