Extended field-of-view sonography: Utility in clinical practice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of real-time exten ded field-of view sonography in clinical practice (i.e., the frequency of u se in various body systems, the frequency of use by different sonographers, and the benefits and drawbacks in comparison to conventional real-time son ography). The use of extended field-of-view sonography was monitored for a 6 month period. The pattern of usage among different sonographers and for d ifferent body systems was documented. Extended field-of-view sonography was utilized in 26.5% of patients. In comparison, color Doppler sonography was used in 23.2% of patients. Utilization of extended field-of-view sonograph y varied significantly among sonographers and among different body systems. Extended field-of-view sonography allowed measurement of large structures and revealed the anatomic context of abnormalities in circumstances under w hich conventional real-time scans could not provide this information.