Ulrike Bartram1, Kassa Darge. 1. Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Harmonic imaging (HI) is a relatively new US method. Its usefulness in children has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of HI in urinary tract imaging of infants and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bladder and kidneys of 29 unselected patients, aged 2 months to 12.8 years (mean, 6.8 years), were examined from ventral and dorsal approaches using conventional (= fundamental) imaging (FI) (6.5 and 3.4 MHz) and HI (3.3 MHz). In addition to global image quality, visualization of bladder wall, retrovesical space, renal contrast to liver/spleen, the pelvicalyceal systems, and the difference between cortex and medulla were assessed. Parameters were rated by two independent examiners and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the three imaging settings for all parameters studied (P<0.003). With the dorsal approach, HI was superior to FI for all parameters analysed (P<0.05). Using the ventral approach, a significant improvement of imaging with HI was found for the bladder and the renal pelvis (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HI is a useful additional tool for imaging the urinary tract in children of all ages. The method particularly improves visualization of the bladder and the kidney from a dorsal approach.
BACKGROUND: Harmonic imaging (HI) is a relatively new US method. Its usefulness in children has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of HI in urinary tract imaging of infants and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bladder and kidneys of 29 unselected patients, aged 2 months to 12.8 years (mean, 6.8 years), were examined from ventral and dorsal approaches using conventional (= fundamental) imaging (FI) (6.5 and 3.4 MHz) and HI (3.3 MHz). In addition to global image quality, visualization of bladder wall, retrovesical space, renal contrast to liver/spleen, the pelvicalyceal systems, and the difference between cortex and medulla were assessed. Parameters were rated by two independent examiners and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the three imaging settings for all parameters studied (P<0.003). With the dorsal approach, HI was superior to FI for all parameters analysed (P<0.05). Using the ventral approach, a significant improvement of imaging with HI was found for the bladder and the renal pelvis (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS:HI is a useful additional tool for imaging the urinary tract in children of all ages. The method particularly improves visualization of the bladder and the kidney from a dorsal approach.
Authors: S Choudhry; B Gorman; J W Charboneau; D J Tradup; R J Beck; J M Kofler; D S Groth Journal: Radiographics Date: 2000 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 5.333
Authors: Ewa Dybiec; Agnieszka Brodzisz; Magdalena Pietka; Małgorzata Obłoza; Grazyna Niedzielska; Jerzy Kowalczyk; Paweł Wieczorek Journal: Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska Med Date: 2002