Benefits of tissue harmonic imaging in the evaluation of abdominal and pelvic lesions

Abstract

Background: We compared tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and conventional ultrasonography to determine whether THI improves image quality and facilitates lesion characterization. Methods: Eighty-nine various abdominal or pelvic lesions in 71 patients(34 men and 37 women; age range = 3–90 years, median age = 52 years) were evaluated with conventional ultrasonography and THI. Examinations were performed with frequencies of 2–5 MHz. All the images were stored on a hard disk and evaluated separately by three radiologists. Results: According to the interpreters, THI improved overall image quality in 67 (74%) to 76 (84%) and lesion characterization in 28 (31%) to 36 (40%) of 89 lesions when compared with conventional ultrasonography. All three observers agreed that image quality and lesion characterization were improved in 62% and 17% of the lesions, respectively. Lesion groups containing five or more lesions were compared for any difference of improvement in overall image quality and lesion characterization. For overall image quality, a significant difference was found (p < 0.05). For lesion characterization, there was no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: THI improved overall image quality and lesion characterization.