Tissue harmonic imaging sonography. Is the image quality in abdominal ultrasound improved?

Purpose: Evaluation and statistical analysis of the influence of THI with p ulse-inversion technology on image quality in abdominal ultrasound in compa rison to conventional sonography. Material and methods: In 25 patients 398 ultrasound images of the abdomen were evaluated in a prospective, double bl ind study. 49% of the images were obtained with THI sonography, 51% with co nventional sonography, respectively. Image parameter, anatomical region and image plane were kept constant by using a switchable ultrasound probe. Ima ge contrast, delineation of organs, detection of vessels and artifacts in c ystic structures were evaluated by four radiologists using a 3-grade scale. The interobserver variability was determined. Results: The results of all groups showed statistically significant improvement: compared to convention al sonography. High agreement of the evaluaters was achieved for image cont rast and delineation of organs, less agreement in detection of vessels and artifacts in cystic structures, respectively. Conclusion: Image contrast an d delineation of organs to neighboring structures as well as reduction of a rtifacts in cystic structures and vessels are statistically significantly i mproved with THI sonography using pulse-inversion technology in comparison to conventional sonography.