Abstract

The study was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt on 200 patients (114 females, 86 males) with varying age and BMI (Body Mass Index) from year 2005 to 2009.

Abdominal and pelvic sonography was done on grey scale using HDI 5000 (Philips/ATL) system. This equipment awarded a U.S. patent for Tissue Harmonic Imaging (THI).

The study was done using broadband curvilinear 2 to 5 MHz (C 5-2) transducer. This transducer can be used for both conventional B-mode and tissue harmonic imaging.

The equipment does not allow to manual selection of the frequencies. (12).The patients were 6 hours fasting prior to all examinations. These were performed by the same operator in order to achieve standardized results. Before the study was embarked standardization of the images was done with 10 normal subjects.

Correlation was done for BMI of the study population and was found that grater percentage of lesions were seen better THI in patients having BMI >25.The p value was < 0.05 (significant).

Out of the 258 positive findings assessed for total image quality in THI in comparison to CUSS the p value was <0.001 (significant). Hence the study concludes that THI is significantly better in demonstrating, defining, characterizing and eliminating the various image artifacts THI is hence recommended for routine screening and study for abdominal and pelvic organs in both males and females of varying BMI and body habitus.

Keywords-Tissue harmonic imaging, B mode ultrasound, Total Image Quality, Artifacts,