Dhutia, NM;
Cole, GD;
Zolgharni, M;
Manisty, CH;
Willson, K;
Parker, KH;
Hughes, AD;
(2014)
Automated speckle tracking algorithm to aid on-axis imaging in echocardiography.
Journal of Medical Imaging
, 1
(3)
, Article 037001. 10.1117/1.JMI.1.3.037001.
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Abstract
Obtaining a “correct” view in echocardiography is a subjective process in which an operator attempts to obtain images conforming to consensus standard views. Real-time objective quantification of image alignment may assist less experienced operators, but no reliable index yet exists. We present a fully automated algorithm for detecting incorrect medial/lateral translation of an ultrasound probe by image analysis. The ability of the algorithm to distinguish optimal from sub-optimal four-chamber images was compared to that of specialists—the current “gold-standard.” The orientation assessments produced by the automated algorithm correlated well with consensus visual assessments of the specialists (r=0.87r=0.87) and compared favourably with the correlation between individual specialists and the consensus, 0.82±0.090.82±0.09. Each individual specialist’s assessments were within the consensus of other specialists, 75±14%75±14% of the time, and the algorithm’s assessments were within the consensus of specialists 85% of the time. The mean discrepancy in probe translation values between individual specialists and their consensus was 0.97±0.87 cm0.97±0.87 cm, and between the automated algorithm and specialists’ consensus was 0.92±0.70 cm0.92±0.70 cm. This technology could be incorporated into hardware to provide real-time guidance for image optimisation—a potentially valuable tool both for training and quality control.
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