Ultrasonography accuracy analysis of abdominal aortic aneuvrysms after endovascular repair using fusion imaging and tomographic 3D-ultrasound: GHOST-FIVEAR and FUS-FIVEAR study ; Analyse de la précision de l'échographie dans le suivi des anévrismes de l'aorte abdominale après réparation endovasculaire à l'aide de l'imagerie de fusion et de l'échographie 3D tomographique : étude GHOST-FIVEAR et FUS-FIVEAR

Introduction: We have developed a method for measuring aneurysmal sac diameter using image fusion and a method for measuring aneurysmal sac volume using 3D ultrasound. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance, reproducibility, and repeatability of volume measurements on an ex vivo phantom in relation to CT volume (gold standard) and reference diameter, using F-US and t3DUS. The aim was to measure the diagnostic performance of F-US and t3DUS on an ex vivo model before they could be used in vivo. Method: The in vitro study involved a phantom composed of nine objects of various volumes representing nine aortic segments embedded in gelatin. Diameter measurements using fusion ultrasound and volume measurements using 3D ultrasound were performed by two different operators. Results: The study compared measurements of the anteroposterior diameter (F-US) to the reference diameter, showing a significant difference, however the ultrasound measurements remained in agreement with the reference measurement, with a slight systematic and proportional difference of 0.789 mm. For volume (T3DUS vs. CT), no significant difference was found, with a difference of -0.106 ml, indicating agreement. Bland-Altman analyses provided narrow confidence intervals for bias, indicating good measurement repeatability for diameter and volume. Furthermore, assessment of inter-observer reproducibility showed that no significant differences were present between observers, confirmed by Deming regressions without systematic bias for diameter and volume, and Bland-Altman analyses with narrow confidence intervals. Discussion: The main results of our study indicate that the methods for measuring anteroposterior diameter and aneurysm sac volume by F-US and t3DUS agree with the reference methods, despite statistically significant differences with regard to anteroposterior diameter. However, these differences remain clinically acceptable. These results are of great importance as they suggest that F-US and t3DUS can be used as alternative ...