3-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF THE EYE

We assessed whether an inexpensive, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) imaging system could produce clinically useful 3D images, without causing patient discomfort, Five patients were examined, The 3D US sy stem consisted of a transducer holder containing a mechanical motor, a nd a microcomputer, During data acquisition the transducer was mechani cally rotated for 22 seconds, while 200 two-dimensional (2D) US images were collected and formed into a 3D image by the computer, The 3D ima ge was viewed on the computer monitor, The 3D images correlated with t he clinical and radiological findings, The new perspectives were helpf ul in diagnosing eye abnormalities and no patient discomfort occurred, The device was easy to use, It is concluded that, as good-quality 3D and 2D US images were produced quickly, with no patient discomfort, an d the device is inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easily attached to exi sting ultrasound machines, it will probably be useful in clinical prac tice.