An evaluation of three-dimensional ultrasonography for the measurement of gallbladder volume

OBJECTIVE: Various three-dimensional ultrasonography systems have been deve loped. We estimated the accuracy of a three-dimensional ultrasonography sys tem for measuring gallbladder volume and compared the results to the sum-of -cylinders method. METHODS: In an in vitro study, 10 balloons of various shapes, sized 5-68 mL were scanned by real-time ultrasonography. In an in vivo study, we evaluat ed the gallbladder emptying of 14 healthy male volunteers after ingestion o f two raw egg yolks. In both studies, volume measurement was performed by t he three-dimensional ultrasonography method and the sum-of-cylinders method . RESULTS: With the three-dimensional ultrasonography method, the mean differ ence between the measured volume and the true volume and the limits of agre ement were smaller than those of the sum-of-cylinders method. Gallbladder v olumes did not differ significantly with both ultrasound methods. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional ultrasonography method accurately determi ned gallbladder volumes. (Am J Gastroenterol 1999;94:3492-3496. (C) 1999 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).