Needle Tip Visibility in 3D Ultrasound Images

Abstract

AimNeedle visibility is crucial for effective and safe ultrasound-guided interventional procedures. Several studies have investigated needle visibility in 2D ultrasound imaging, but less information is available for 3D ultrasound imaging, a modality that has great potential for image guidance interventions. We performed a prospective study, to quantitatively compare the echogenicity of various commercially available needles in 3D ultrasound images used in clinical practice under freehand needle introduction.Materials and MethodsA set of seven needles, containing biopsy needles, a TIPS needle, an ablation needle and a puncture needle, were included in the study. A liver-mimicking phantom and cow liver were punctured by each needle. 3D sweeps and real-time 3D data were acquired at three different angles (20°, 55° and 90°). Needle visibility was quantified by calculating contrast-to-noise ratio.ResultsIn the liver-mimicking phantom, all needles showed better visibility than in the cow liver. At large angles, contrast-to-noise ratio and needle visibility were almost similar in both cases, but at lower angles differences in visibility were observed with different types of needles.ConclusionThe contrast-to-noise ratio increased with the increase in angle of insonation. The difference in visibility of different needles is more pronounced at 20° angle. The echogenic properties of inhomogeneous cow liver tissues make the needles visibility worse as compared to a homogenous phantom. The needle visibility becomes worse in 3D real-time data as compared to 3D ultrasound sweeps.

Needle Biopsy Adequacy in the Era of Precision Medicine and Value-Based Health Care

“…106,107 Needle tip visibility increases with insonation angle, the angle of incidence of ultrasound waves relative to the detector. 108 To facilitate localization using ultrasound, needles, particularly those used for endoscopy, may have surface modifications such as polymer coating or etching to enhance echogenicity. 109 Recently, ultrasound vibration of the needle has been used experimentally to enhance needle visibility.…”

Three‐dimensional therapy needle applicator segmentation for ultrasound‐guided focal liver ablation

“…These resulting fusion images can then allow for accurate planning and verification of the needle applicators’ location. Unfortunately, current limitations still exist for visualizing and verifying needle applicator positions in 3D US liver images as the visibility can change with needle applicator insertion angle, depth, and size, in addition to the choice of transducer (i.e., curvilinear) and local anatomical acoustic reflections that result in complicated images containing shadows and reverberation artifacts with unclear line–like interfaces . Attempts have been made using a variety of needle applicator‐enhancing techniques to address these localization concerns for the physician by incorporating additional features like echogenic coatings, magnetic or optical tracking systems, robotic needle steering, augmented reality, and US beam steering .…”

Compliant joint echogenicity in ultrasound images: towards highly visible steerable needles

“…After the needle insertion and the alignment of the imaging plane, the set-up was rotated, with respect to the CR, to mimic insertion angles of 20°, 55°, or 90°. These are the same angles as studied in (11). From each video, multiple frames were collected in proximity to these angles and the best fitting frame was obtained by comparing the line of insertion to a virtual reference line, as is illustrated in Fig.…”

“…As a result, the needle visibility depends on the acuteness of the angle between the needle and the ultrasound probe (10), which roughly translates to the needle insertion angle. In addition, the needle visibility may be limited by surrounding tissue with high echogenic properties or shadowing by bone or air (11). Scattered reflections, e.g.…”