3D ultrasound DICOM data of the thyroid gland

Summary

Purpose: It has recently become possible to generate and archive three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) volume data with the DICOM standard Enhanced Ultrasound Volume Storage (EUVS). The objective of this study was to examine the application of the EUVS standard based on the example of thyroid ultrasound. Patients, methods: 32 patients, who were referred for thyroid diagnosis, were given a 3D-US examination of the thyroid gland (GE Voluson E8, convex 3D probe RAB4–8-D). The 3D data sets were exported to EUVS. Necessary additions to DICOM entries and transformation into an established DICOM standard were carried out. The visual assessment and volume measurements were performed by two experts on nuclear medicine using standard software in our hospital. Results: In 24/32 (75%) of the patients, the whole organ was successfully recorded in a single 3D scan; in 8/32 (25%), only part of organ could be covered. In all cases, 3D-US data could be exported and archived. After supplementing the DICOM entry Patient Orientation and transformation into the DICOM PET format, 3D-US data could be displayed in the correct orientation and size at any viewing workstation and any web browser-based PACS viewer. Afterwards, 3D processing such as multiplanar reformation, volumetric measurements and image fusion with data of other cross sectional modalities could be performed. The intraclass correlation of the volume measurements was 0,94 and the interobserver variability was 5.7%. Conclusion: EUVS allows the generation, distribution and archiving of 3D-US data of the thyroid, facilitates a second reading by another physician and creates conditions for advanced 3D processing using routine software

Zusammenfassung

Seit kurzem ist es möglich, dreidimensionale Ultraschallvolumendaten (3D-US) mittels des DICOM-Standards EUVS (Enhanced Ultrasound Volume Storage) zu erzeugen und zu speichern. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Anwendbarkeit des EUVS-Standards am Beispiel des Ultra-schalls der Schilddrüse zu untersuchen. Patienten, Methoden: Bei 32 Patienten, die zur Diagnostik einer Schilddrüsenerkrankung überwiesen wurden, wurde ein 3D-Ultraschall der Schilddrüse durchgeführt (GE Voluson E8, convex 3D probe RAB4–8-D). Die 3D-Daten wurden im EUVS-Format gespeichert und exportiert. Notwendige DICOM- Einträge sowie die Umwandlung in ein etabliertes DICOMFormat wurden durchgeführt. Die visuelle Beurteilung sowie die Volumen-Messungen wurden durch zwei erfahrene Nuklearmediziner mittels Standard-Software in unserer Klinik durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Bei 24/32 (75%) Patienten wurde das komplette Organ in einem 3D-Scan vollständig, bei 8/32 (25%) unvollständig erfasst. In allen Fällen konnten die Daten erfolgreich exportiert und archiviert werden. Nachdem der DICOM-Eintrag „Patientenorientierung“ hinzugefügt und die Daten in das DICOM-PET-Format umgewandelt wurden, konnten die 3D-US-Daten in korrekter Ausrichtung und Größe auf allen Workstations und mit allen web-basierten PACSViewern dargestellt werden. Anschließend konnten 3D-Nachverarbeitungen wie multiplanare Reformatierungen, Volumenbestimmungen und Bildfusionen mit anderen Schnittbildverfahren durchgeführt werden. Die Intraklassenkorrelation der Volumenmessungen betrug 0,94%, die Interobservervariabilität 5,7%. Schlussfolgerung: EUVS erlaubt die Erstellung, Verteilung und Archivierung dreidimensionaler US-Daten der Schilddrüse und ermöglicht die Nachbetrachtung durch einen zweiten Arzt sowie die 3D-Nachverarbeitung mit Standard-Software.

Keywords

Ultrasound - 3D ultrasound - thyroid gland - DICOM - image fusion

Schlüsselwörter

Ultraschall - 3D-Ultrasschall - Schilddrüse - DICOM - Bildfusion

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