VARIATION IN THE DETERMINATION OF FOLLICULAR DIAMETER - AN INTER-UNITPILOT-STUDY USING AN ULTRASONIC PHANTOM

Ultrasound operators in assisted reproductive technology units in New South Wales, Australia cooperated in a study that was conducted to ass ess their ability to measure fixed objects embedded in an ultrasound p hantom. The results have demonstrated a large variation ranging betwee n 10 and 25% coefficient of variation on distances between 10 and 32 m m. As ultrasonic imaging is the only component of assisted reproductiv e technology not currently controlled by an external quality assurance scheme, the authors suggest there may be a need to establish a progra mme.