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Gleed AD, Mishra D, Self A, Thiruvengadam R, Desiraju BK, Bhatnagar S, Papageorghiou AT, Noble JA. Statistical Characterisation of Fetal Anatomy in Simple Obstetric Ultrasound Video Sweeps. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024; 50:985-993. [PMID: 38692940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We present a statistical characterisation of fetal anatomies in obstetric ultrasound video sweeps where the transducer follows a fixed trajectory on the maternal abdomen. METHODS Large-scale, frame-level manual annotations of fetal anatomies (head, spine, abdomen, pelvis, femur) were used to compute common frame-level anatomy detection patterns expected for breech, cephalic, and transverse fetal presentations, with respect to video sweep paths. The patterns, termed statistical heatmaps, quantify the expected anatomies seen in a simple obstetric ultrasound video sweep protocol. In this study, a total of 760 unique manual annotations from 365 unique pregnancies were used. RESULTS We provide a qualitative interpretation of the heatmaps assessing the transducer sweep paths with respect to different fetal presentations and suggest ways in which the heatmaps can be applied in computational research (e.g., as a machine learning prior). CONCLUSION The heatmap parameters are freely available to other researchers (https://github.com/agleed/calopus_statistical_heatmaps).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Gleed
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Divyanshu Mishra
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alice Self
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Aris T Papageorghiou
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - J Alison Noble
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Khaledyan D, Marini TJ, O’Connell A, Meng S, Kan J, Brennan G, Zhao Y, Baran TM, Parker KJ. WATUNet: a deep neural network for segmentation of volumetric sweep imaging ultrasound. MACHINE LEARNING: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2024; 5:015042. [PMID: 38464559 PMCID: PMC10921088 DOI: 10.1088/2632-2153/ad2e15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited access to breast cancer diagnosis globally leads to delayed treatment. Ultrasound, an effective yet underutilized method, requires specialized training for sonographers, which hinders its widespread use. Volume sweep imaging (VSI) is an innovative approach that enables untrained operators to capture high-quality ultrasound images. Combined with deep learning, like convolutional neural networks, it can potentially transform breast cancer diagnosis, enhancing accuracy, saving time and costs, and improving patient outcomes. The widely used UNet architecture, known for medical image segmentation, has limitations, such as vanishing gradients and a lack of multi-scale feature extraction and selective region attention. In this study, we present a novel segmentation model known as Wavelet_Attention_UNet (WATUNet). In this model, we incorporate wavelet gates and attention gates between the encoder and decoder instead of a simple connection to overcome the limitations mentioned, thereby improving model performance. Two datasets are utilized for the analysis: the public 'Breast Ultrasound Images' dataset of 780 images and a private VSI dataset of 3818 images, captured at the University of Rochester by the authors. Both datasets contained segmented lesions categorized into three types: no mass, benign mass, and malignant mass. Our segmentation results show superior performance compared to other deep networks. The proposed algorithm attained a Dice coefficient of 0.94 and an F1 score of 0.94 on the VSI dataset and scored 0.93 and 0.94 on the public dataset, respectively. Moreover, our model significantly outperformed other models in McNemar's test with false discovery rate correction on a 381-image VSI set. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed WATUNet model achieves precise segmentation of breast lesions in both standard-of-care and VSI images, surpassing state-of-the-art models. Hence, the model holds considerable promise for assisting in lesion identification, an essential step in the clinical diagnosis of breast lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Khaledyan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas J Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Avice O’Connell
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Steven Meng
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Jonah Kan
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Galen Brennan
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Timothy M Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Kevin J Parker
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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Johnson JI, Beasley H, Southwick D, Lords AM, Kessler R, Vrablik ME, Baker RT. Development of a hybrid point-of-care ultrasound curriculum for first year medical students in a rural medical education program: a pilot study. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:16. [PMID: 38172848 PMCID: PMC10765644 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-05005-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has advanced in recent decades due to the benefits it holds for medical providers. However, aspiring POCUS practitioners require adequate training. Unfortunately, there remains a paucity of resources to deliver this training, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Despite these barriers, calls for POCUS training in undergraduate medical education are growing, and many medical schools now deliver some form of POCUS education. Our program lacked POCUS training; therefore, we developed and implemented a POCUS curriculum for our first-year medical students. METHODS We developed a POCUS curriculum for first year medical students in a rural medically underserved region of the United States. To evaluate our course, we measured learning outcomes, self-reported confidence in a variety of POCUS domains, and gathered feedback on the course with a multi-modal approach: an original written pre- and post-test, survey tool, and semi-structured interview protocol, respectively. RESULTS Student (n=24) knowledge of POCUS significantly increased (pre-test average score = 55%, post-test average score = 79%, P<0.0001), and the course was well received based on student survey and interview feedback. In addition, students reported increased confidence toward a variety of knowledge and proficiency domains in POCUS use and their future clinical education and practice. CONCLUSIONS Despite a lack of consensus in POCUS education, existing literature describes many curricular designs across institutions. We leveraged a combination of student initiatives, online resources, remote collaborations, local volunteers, and faculty development to bring POCUS to our institution in a rural and medically underserved region. Moreover, we demonstrate positive learning and experiential outcomes that may translate to improved outcomes in students' clinical education and practice. Further research is needed to evaluate the psychomotor skills, broader learning outcomes, and clinical performance of students who take part in our POCUS course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua I Johnson
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA.
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - Heather Beasley
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Derek Southwick
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Allie M Lords
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ross Kessler
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael E Vrablik
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Russell T Baker
- WWAMI Medical Education Program, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Khaledyan D, Marini TJ, M. Baran T, O’Connell A, Parker K. Enhancing breast ultrasound segmentation through fine-tuning and optimization techniques: Sharp attention UNet. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289195. [PMID: 38091358 PMCID: PMC10718429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Segmentation of breast ultrasound images is a crucial and challenging task in computer-aided diagnosis systems. Accurately segmenting masses in benign and malignant cases and identifying regions with no mass is a primary objective in breast ultrasound image segmentation. Deep learning (DL) has emerged as a powerful tool in medical image segmentation, revolutionizing how medical professionals analyze and interpret complex imaging data. The UNet architecture is a highly regarded and widely used DL model in medical image segmentation. Its distinctive architectural design and exceptional performance have made it popular among researchers. With the increase in data and model complexity, optimization and fine-tuning models play a vital and more challenging role than before. This paper presents a comparative study evaluating the effect of image preprocessing and different optimization techniques and the importance of fine-tuning different UNet segmentation models for breast ultrasound images. Optimization and fine-tuning techniques have been applied to enhance the performance of UNet, Sharp UNet, and Attention UNet. Building upon this progress, we designed a novel approach by combining Sharp UNet and Attention UNet, known as Sharp Attention UNet. Our analysis yielded the following quantitative evaluation metrics for the Sharp Attention UNet: the Dice coefficient, specificity, sensitivity, and F1 score values obtained were 0.93, 0.99, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively. In addition, McNemar's statistical test was applied to assess significant differences between the approaches. Across a number of measures, our proposed model outperformed all other models, resulting in improved breast lesion segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Khaledyan
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Timothy M. Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Avice O’Connell
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Kevin Parker
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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Erlick M, Marini T, Drennan K, Dozier A, Castaneda B, Baran T, Toscano M. Assessment of a Brief Standardized Obstetric Ultrasound Training Program for Individuals Without Prior Ultrasound Experience. Ultrasound Q 2023; 39:124-128. [PMID: 36223486 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Obstetric volume sweep imaging (OB VSI) is a simple set of transducer movements guided by external body landmarks that can be taught to ultrasound-naive non-experts. This approach can increase access to ultrasound in rural/low-resources settings lacking trained sonographers. This study presents and evaluates a training program for OB VSI. Six trainees without previous formal ultrasound experience received a training program on the OB VSI protocol containing focused didactics and supervised live hands-on ultrasound scanning practice. Trainees then independently performed 194 OB VSI examinations on pregnancies >14 weeks with known prenatal ultrasound abnormalities. Images were reviewed by maternal-fetal medicine specialists for the primary outcome (protocol deviation rates) and secondary outcomes (examination quality and image quality). Protocol deviation was present in 25.8% of cases, but only 7.7% of these errors affected the diagnostic potential of the ultrasound. Error rate differences between trainees ranged from 8.6% to 53.8% ( P < 0.0001). Image quality was excellent or acceptable in 88.2%, and 96.4% had image quality capable of yielding a diagnostic interpretation. The frequency of protocol deviations decreased over time in the majority of trainees, demonstrating retention of training program over time. This brief OB VSI training program for ultrasound-naive non-experts yielded operators capable of producing high-quality images capable of diagnostic interpretation after 3 hours of training. This training program could be adapted for use by local community members in low-resource/rural settings to increase access to obstetric ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah Erlick
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
| | - Thomas Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Kathryn Drennan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Ann Dozier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Laboratorio de Imágenes Médicas, Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
| | - Timothy Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, The Institute for Optics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Marika Toscano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center
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Khaledyan D, Marini TJ, O’Connell A, Parker K. Enhancing Breast Ultrasound Segmentation through Fine-tuning and Optimization Techniques: Sharp Attention UNet. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.14.549040. [PMID: 37503223 PMCID: PMC10370074 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.14.549040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Segmentation of breast ultrasound images is a crucial and challenging task in computer-aided diagnosis systems. Accurately segmenting masses in benign and malignant cases and identifying regions with no mass is a primary objective in breast ultrasound image segmentation. Deep learning (DL) has emerged as a powerful tool in medical image segmentation, revolutionizing how medical professionals analyze and interpret complex imaging data. The UNet architecture is a highly regarded and widely used DL model in medical image segmentation. Its distinctive architectural design and exceptional performance have made it a popular choice among researchers in the medical image segmentation field. With the increase in data and model complexity, optimization and fine-tuning models play a vital and more challenging role than before. This paper presents a comparative study evaluating the effect of image preprocessing and different optimization techniques and the importance of fine-tuning different UNet segmentation models for breast ultrasound images. Optimization and fine-tuning techniques have been applied to enhance the performance of UNet, Sharp UNet, and Attention UNet. Building upon this progress, we designed a novel approach by combining Sharp UNet and Attention UNet, known as Sharp Attention UNet. Our analysis yielded the following quantitative evaluation metrics for the Sharp Attention UNet: the dice coefficient, specificity, sensitivity, and F1 score obtained values of 0.9283, 0.9936, 0.9426, and 0.9412, respectively. In addition, McNemar's statistical test was applied to assess significant differences between the approaches. Across a number of measures, our proposed model outperforms the earlier designed models and points towards improved breast lesion segmentation algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Khaledyan
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Avice O’Connell
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Parker
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Simkovich SM, Hossen S, McCollum ED, Toenjes AK, McCracken JP, Thompson LM, Castañaza A, Diaz A, Rosa G, Kirby MA, Mukeshimana A, Myers R, Lenzen PM, Craik R, Jabbarzadeh S, Elon L, Garg SS, Balakrishnan K, Thangavel G, Peel JL, Clasen TF, Dávila-Román VG, Papageorghiou AT, de Las Fuentes L, Checkley W. Lung Ultrasound Protocol and Quality Control of Image Interpretation Using an Adjudication Panel in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) Trial. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:1194-1201. [PMID: 36801180 PMCID: PMC10631486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an alternative to chest radiography to confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia. For research and disease surveillance, methods to use LUS to diagnose pneumonia are needed. METHODS In the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial, LUS was used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of severe pneumonia in infants. We developed a standardized definition of pneumonia, protocols for recruitment and training of sonographers, along with LUS image acquisition and interpretation. We use a blinded panel approach to interpretation with LUS cine-loops randomized to non-scanning sonographers with expert review. DISCUSSION We obtained 357 lung ultrasound scans: 159, 8 and 190 scans were collected in Guatemala, Peru and Rwanda, respectively. The diagnosis of primary endpoint pneumonia (PEP) required an expert tie breaker in 181 scans (39%). PEP was diagnosed in 141 scans (40%), not diagnosed in 213 (60%), with 3 scans (<1%) deemed uninterpretable. Agreement among the two blinded sonographers and the expert reader in Guatemala, Peru and Rwanda was 65%, 62% and 67%, with a prevalence-and-bias-corrected kappa of 0.30, 0.24 and 0.33, respectively. CONCLUSION Use of standardized imaging protocols, training and an adjudication panel resulted in high confidence for the diagnosis of pneumonia using LUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Simkovich
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Healthcare Delivery, MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shakir Hossen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric D McCollum
- Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Global Program on Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley K Toenjes
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John P McCracken
- Global Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lisa M Thompson
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adly Castañaza
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Anaite Diaz
- Center for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Ghislaine Rosa
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miles A Kirby
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rachel Myers
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Patricia M Lenzen
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel Craik
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shirin Jabbarzadeh
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa Elon
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarada S Garg
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, ICMR Center for Advanced Research on Air Quality, Climate and Health, Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education and Research (Deemed University), Chennai, India
| | - Kalpana Balakrishnan
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, ICMR Center for Advanced Research on Air Quality, Climate and Health, Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education and Research (Deemed University), Chennai, India
| | - Gurusamy Thangavel
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, ICMR Center for Advanced Research on Air Quality, Climate and Health, Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education and Research (Deemed University), Chennai, India
| | - Jennifer L Peel
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Thomas F Clasen
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Victor G Dávila-Román
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Aris T Papageorghiou
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lisa de Las Fuentes
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - William Checkley
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Toscano M, Marini T, Lennon C, Erlick M, Silva H, Crofton K, Serratelli W, Rana N, Dozier AM, Castaneda B, Baran TM, Drennan K. Diagnosis of Pregnancy Complications Using Blind Ultrasound Sweeps Performed by Individuals Without Prior Formal Ultrasound Training. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 141:937-948. [PMID: 37103534 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of blind ultrasound sweeps performed with a low-cost, portable ultrasound system by individuals with no prior formal ultrasound training to diagnose common pregnancy complications. METHODS This is a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted from October 2020 to January 2022 among people with second- and third-trimester pregnancies. Nonspecialists with no prior formal ultrasound training underwent a brief training on a simple eight-step approach to performing a limited obstetric ultrasound examination that uses blind sweeps of a portable ultrasound probe based on external body landmarks. The sweeps were interpreted by five blinded maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for blinded ultrasound sweep identification of pregnancy complications (fetal malpresentation, multiple gestations, placenta previa, and abnormal amniotic fluid volume) were compared with a reference standard ultrasonogram as the primary analysis. Kappa for agreement was also assessed. RESULTS Trainees performed 194 blinded ultrasound examinations on 168 unique pregnant people (248 fetuses) at a mean of 28±5.85 weeks of gestation for a total of 1,552 blinded sweep cine clips. There were 49 ultrasonograms with normal results (control group) and 145 ultrasonograms with abnormal results with known pregnancy complications. In this cohort, the sensitivity for detecting a prespecified pregnancy complication was 91.7% (95% CI 87.2-96.2%) overall, with the highest detection rate for multiple gestations (100%, 95% CI 100-100%) and noncephalic presentation (91.8%, 95% CI 86.4-97.3%). There was high negative predictive value for placenta previa (96.1%, 95% CI 93.5-98.8%) and abnormal amniotic fluid volume (89.5%, 95% CI 85.3-93.6%). There was also substantial to perfect mean agreement for these same outcomes (range 87-99.6% agreement, Cohen κ range 0.59-0.91, P<.001 for all). CONCLUSION Blind ultrasound sweeps of the gravid abdomen guided by an eight-step protocol using only external anatomic landmarks and performed by previously untrained operators with a low-cost, portable, battery-powered device had excellent sensitivity and specificity for high-risk pregnancy complications such as malpresentation, placenta previa, multiple gestations, and abnormal amniotic fluid volume, similar to results of a diagnostic ultrasound examination using a trained ultrasonographer and standard-of-care ultrasound machine. This approach has the potential to improve access to obstetric ultrasonography globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Toscano
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; the Department of Imaging Sciences, the Department of Public Health Sciences, and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; and the Division of Electric Engineering, Department of Academic Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Lima, Peru
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Marini TJ, Castaneda B, Satheesh M, Zhao YT, Reátegui-Rivera CM, Sifuentes W, Baran TM, Kaproth-Joslin KA, Ambrosini R, Rios-Mayhua G, Dozier AM. Sustainable volume sweep imaging lung teleultrasound in Peru: Public health perspectives from a new frontier in expanding access to imaging. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2023; 3:1002208. [PMID: 37077694 PMCID: PMC10106710 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1002208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundPulmonary disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality, but the majority of the people in the world lack access to diagnostic imaging for its assessment. We conducted an implementation assessment of a potentially sustainable and cost-effective model for delivery of volume sweep imaging (VSI) lung teleultrasound in Peru. This model allows image acquisition by individuals without prior ultrasound experience after only a few hours of training.MethodsLung teleultrasound was implemented at 5 sites in rural Peru after a few hours of installation and staff training. Patients were offered free lung VSI teleultrasound examination for concerns of respiratory illness or research purposes. After ultrasound examination, patients were surveyed regarding their experience. Health staff and members of the implementation team also participated in separate interviews detailing their views of the teleultrasound system which were systematically analyzed for key themes.ResultsPatients and staff rated their experience with lung teleultrasound as overwhelmingly positive. The lung teleultrasound system was viewed as a potential way to improve access to imaging and the health of rural communities. Detailed interviews with the implementation team revealed obstacles to implementation important for consideration such as gaps in lung ultrasound understanding.ConclusionsLung VSI teleultrasound was successfully deployed to 5 health centers in rural Peru. Implementation assessment revealed enthusiasm for the system among members of the community along with important areas of consideration for future teleultrasound deployment. This system offers a potential means to increase access to imaging for pulmonary illness and improve the health of the global community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
- Correspondence: Thomas J. Marini
| | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Departamento de Ingeniería, Laboratorio de Imágenes Médicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Malavika Satheesh
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Yu T. Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | | | - Timothy M. Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | - Robert Ambrosini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | - Ann M. Dozier
- Department of Public Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
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10
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Marini TJ, Castaneda B, Iyer R, Baran TM, Nemer O, Dozier AM, Parker KJ, Zhao Y, Serratelli W, Matos G, Ali S, Ghobryal B, Visca A, O'Connell A. Breast Ultrasound Volume Sweep Imaging: A New Horizon in Expanding Imaging Access for Breast Cancer Detection. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2023; 42:817-832. [PMID: 35802491 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The majority of people in the world lack basic access to breast diagnostic imaging resulting in delay to diagnosis of breast cancer. In this study, we tested a volume sweep imaging (VSI) ultrasound protocol for evaluation of palpable breast lumps that can be performed by operators after minimal training without prior ultrasound experience as a means to increase accessibility to breast ultrasound. METHODS Medical students without prior ultrasound experience were trained for less than 2 hours on the VSI breast ultrasound protocol. Patients presenting with palpable breast lumps for standard of care ultrasound examination were scanned by a trained medical student with the VSI protocol using a Butterfly iQ handheld ultrasound probe. Video clips of the VSI scan imaging were later interpreted by an attending breast imager. Results of VSI scan interpretation were compared to the same-day standard of care ultrasound examination. RESULTS Medical students scanned 170 palpable lumps with the VSI protocol. There was 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity for a breast mass on VSI corresponding to 97.6% agreement with standard of care (Cohen's κ = 0.95, P < .0001). There was a detection rate of 100% for all cancer presenting as a sonographic mass. High agreement for mass characteristics between VSI and standard of care was observed, including 87% agreement on Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System assessments (Cohen's κ = 0.82, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Breast ultrasound VSI for palpable lumps offers a promising means to increase access to diagnostic imaging in underserved areas. This approach could decrease delay to diagnosis for breast cancer, potentially improving morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Radha Iyer
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Omar Nemer
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ann M Dozier
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J Parker
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yu Zhao
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Gregory Matos
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Shania Ali
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Adam Visca
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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11
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Olusanya O, Baston C. Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19: Sweeping the Surface or Sounding the Depths. Chest 2023; 163:12-13. [PMID: 36628663 PMCID: PMC9826953 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.08.2226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Olusanya
- Department of Critical Care, Barts Heart Centre, Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, England
| | - Cameron Baston
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
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12
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Baek J, O’Connell AM, Parker KJ. Improving breast cancer diagnosis by incorporating raw ultrasound parameters into machine learning. MACHINE LEARNING: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 3:045013. [PMID: 36698865 PMCID: PMC9855672 DOI: 10.1088/2632-2153/ac9bcc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The improved diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound breast examinations remains an important goal. In this study, we propose a biophysical feature-based machine learning method for breast cancer detection to improve the performance beyond a benchmark deep learning algorithm and to furthermore provide a color overlay visual map of the probability of malignancy within a lesion. This overall framework is termed disease-specific imaging. Previously, 150 breast lesions were segmented and classified utilizing a modified fully convolutional network and a modified GoogLeNet, respectively. In this study multiparametric analysis was performed within the contoured lesions. Features were extracted from ultrasound radiofrequency, envelope, and log-compressed data based on biophysical and morphological models. The support vector machine with a Gaussian kernel constructed a nonlinear hyperplane, and we calculated the distance between the hyperplane and each feature's data point in multiparametric space. The distance can quantitatively assess a lesion and suggest the probability of malignancy that is color-coded and overlaid onto B-mode images. Training and evaluation were performed on in vivo patient data. The overall accuracy for the most common types and sizes of breast lesions in our study exceeded 98.0% for classification and 0.98 for an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, which is more precise than the performance of radiologists and a deep learning system. Further, the correlation between the probability and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System enables a quantitative guideline to predict breast cancer. Therefore, we anticipate that the proposed framework can help radiologists achieve more accurate and convenient breast cancer classification and detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye Baek
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Avice M O’Connell
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Kevin J Parker
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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13
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Schmidt J, Chiu A, Okiror W, Kolkowitz I, Svenson JE, Olupot-Olupot P. Training for Pediatric Cardiac and Pulmonary Point of Care Ultrasound in Eastern Uganda. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:2461-2467. [PMID: 36137847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Caring for children with acute illness is a challenge in limited-resource settings, especially when diagnostic imaging is limited or unavailable. We developed a training program in cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for pediatric patients in eastern Uganda. Fourteen trainees including physicians, resident physicians and midlevels received training in cardiac and lung POCUS. Training included formal lectures, hands-on skills practice and individualized teaching sessions. Assessment included written knowledge assessment, direct observation and longitudinal image review. Blinded review of 237 consecutive ultrasound studies revealed satisfactory image quality (94.2% for lung and 93% for cardiac) and accurate image interpretation. Sensitivity and specificity of image interpretation were 0.93 (0.75-0.99) and 0.94 (0.78-0.99) for lung and 0.86 (0.71-0.95) and 0.94 (0.84-0.99) for cardiac compared with expert review. All trainees passed written knowledge assessments. After training, 100% of trainees reported that they would use POCUS in clinical activity and thought it would improve patient outcomes. Our training program indicated that trainees were able to perform high-quality cardiac and lung POCUS for pediatric patients with accurate interpretation. This builds a foundation for future studies addressing how POCUS can change outcomes for children in limited-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Schmidt
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
| | - Arthur Chiu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William Okiror
- Department of Pediatrics, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Ilan Kolkowitz
- Emergency Medicine, Adventist Health Hospital, Ukiah, California, USA
| | - James E Svenson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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14
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Marini TJ, Castaneda B, Parker K, Baran TM, Romero S, Iyer R, Zhao YT, Hah Z, Park MH, Brennan G, Kan J, Meng S, Dozier A, O’Connell A. No sonographer, no radiologist: Assessing accuracy of artificial intelligence on breast ultrasound volume sweep imaging scans. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2022; 1:e0000148. [PMID: 36812553 PMCID: PMC9931251 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Breast ultrasound provides a first-line evaluation for breast masses, but the majority of the world lacks access to any form of diagnostic imaging. In this pilot study, we assessed the combination of artificial intelligence (Samsung S-Detect for Breast) with volume sweep imaging (VSI) ultrasound scans to evaluate the possibility of inexpensive, fully automated breast ultrasound acquisition and preliminary interpretation without an experienced sonographer or radiologist. This study was conducted using examinations from a curated data set from a previously published clinical study of breast VSI. Examinations in this data set were obtained by medical students without prior ultrasound experience who performed VSI using a portable Butterfly iQ ultrasound probe. Standard of care ultrasound exams were performed concurrently by an experienced sonographer using a high-end ultrasound machine. Expert-selected VSI images and standard of care images were input into S-Detect which output mass features and classification as "possibly benign" and "possibly malignant." Subsequent comparison of the S-Detect VSI report was made between 1) the standard of care ultrasound report by an expert radiologist, 2) the standard of care ultrasound S-Detect report, 3) the VSI report by an expert radiologist, and 4) the pathological diagnosis. There were 115 masses analyzed by S-Detect from the curated data set. There was substantial agreement of the S-Detect interpretation of VSI among cancers, cysts, fibroadenomas, and lipomas to the expert standard of care ultrasound report (Cohen's κ = 0.73 (0.57-0.9 95% CI), p<0.0001), the standard of care ultrasound S-Detect interpretation (Cohen's κ = 0.79 (0.65-0.94 95% CI), p<0.0001), the expert VSI ultrasound report (Cohen's κ = 0.73 (0.57-0.9 95% CI), p<0.0001), and the pathological diagnosis (Cohen's κ = 0.80 (0.64-0.95 95% CI), p<0.0001). All pathologically proven cancers (n = 20) were designated as "possibly malignant" by S-Detect with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86%. Integration of artificial intelligence and VSI could allow both acquisition and interpretation of ultrasound images without a sonographer and radiologist. This approach holds potential for increasing access to ultrasound imaging and therefore improving outcomes related to breast cancer in low- and middle- income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Kevin Parker
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Timothy M. Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Stefano Romero
- Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Radha Iyer
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Yu T. Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Zaegyoo Hah
- Samsung Medison Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Ho Park
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Galen Brennan
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Jonah Kan
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Steven Meng
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Ann Dozier
- Department of Public Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Avice O’Connell
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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15
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Marini TJ, Kaproth-Joslin K, Ambrosini R, Baran TM, Dozier AM, Zhao YT, Satheesh M, Mahony Reátegui-Rivera C, Sifuentes W, Rios-Mayhua G, Castaneda B. Volume sweep imaging lung teleultrasound for detection of COVID-19 in Peru: a multicentre pilot study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061332. [PMID: 36192102 PMCID: PMC9534786 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pulmonary disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in adults and children, but most of the world lacks diagnostic imaging for its assessment. Lung ultrasound is a portable, low-cost, and highly accurate imaging modality for assessment of pulmonary pathology including pneumonia, but its deployment is limited secondary to a lack of trained sonographers. In this study, we piloted a low-cost lung teleultrasound system in rural Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic using lung ultrasound volume sweep imaging (VSI) that can be operated by an individual without prior ultrasound training circumventing many obstacles to ultrasound deployment. DESIGN Pilot study. SETTING Study activities took place in five health centres in rural Peru. PARTICIPANTS There were 213 participants presenting to rural health clinics. INTERVENTIONS Individuals without prior ultrasound experience in rural Peru underwent brief training on how to use the teleultrasound system and perform lung ultrasound VSI. Subsequently, patients attending clinic were scanned by these previously ultrasound-naïve operators with the teleultrasound system. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Radiologists examined the ultrasound imaging to assess its diagnostic value and identify any pathology. A random subset of 20% of the scans were analysed for inter-reader reliability. RESULTS Lung VSI teleultrasound examinations underwent detailed analysis by two cardiothoracic attending radiologists. Of the examinations, 202 were rated of diagnostic image quality (94.8%, 95% CI 90.9% to 97.4%). There was 91% agreement between radiologists on lung ultrasound interpretation among a 20% sample of all examinations (κ=0.76, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.98). Radiologists were able to identify sequelae of COVID-19 with the predominant finding being B-lines. CONCLUSION Lung VSI teleultrasound performed by individuals without prior training allowed diagnostic imaging of the lungs and identification of sequelae of COVID-19 infection. Deployment of lung VSI teleultrasound holds potential as a low-cost means to improve access to imaging around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Marini
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Robert Ambrosini
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Timothy M Baran
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ann M Dozier
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Yu T Zhao
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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16
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Alarcon R, Romero SE, Guevara N, Montoya X, Rios G, Terrones R, Marini TJ, Castaneda B. Panoramic Reconstruction of B-mode Lung Ultrasound Images Acquired using a Longitudinal Volume Sweep Imaging Protocol. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022; 2022:3903-3906. [PMID: 36085702 DOI: 10.1109/embc48229.2022.9871438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has already affected more than 300 million people worldwide. Medical imaging shortage affects an estimated of 4 billion people, especially in rural and remote areas (RAs), limiting diagnostic assessment of respiratory illness. Lung ultrasound imaging (LUS) together with volume sweep imaging (VSI) acquisition protocols have been successfully piloted as a solution for lung screening in RAs eliminating the need for trained operators and on-site radiologists. Nevertheless, this protocol requires the acquisition of 12 videos for 6 areas with both longitudinal and transverse positions of the transducer. Nonetheless, bandwidth limitations can hamper the transmission of these videos for remote interpretation. This work aimed to developed a stitching algorithm capable of generating a panoramic reconstruction of LUS cine clips. The results show reconstructions with minimal loss of information as 92.5% of the panoramic images conserved the presence of A-lines. These results show that LUS can be represented as an image without significantly compromising its quality. This can be useful to overcome bandwidth issues as well as improve the time on lung assessment of the patient.
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17
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Rodríguez-Contreras FJ, Calvo-Cebrián A, Díaz-Lázaro J, Cruz-Arnés M, León-Vázquez F, del Carmen Lobón-Agúndez M, Palau-Cuevas FJ, Henares-García P, Gavilán-Martínez F, Fernández-Plaza S, Prieto-Zancudo C. Lung Ultrasound Performed by Primary Care Physicians for Clinically Suspected Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Ann Fam Med 2022; 20:227-236. [PMID: 35606120 PMCID: PMC9199040 DOI: 10.1370/afm.2796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether lung ultrasound (US) performed in primary care is useful and feasible for diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) compared with chest radiography, as most previous research has been conducted in hospital settings. METHODS We undertook a prospective observational cohort study of lung US performed in 12 primary care centers. Patients aged 5 years and older with symptoms suggesting CAP were examined with lung US (by 21 family physicians and 7 primary care pediatricians) and chest radiograph on the same day. We compared lung US findings with the radiologist's chest radiograph report as the reference standard, given that the latter is the most common imaging test performed for suspected CAP in primary care. The physicians had varied previous US experience, but all received a 5-hour lung US training program. RESULTS The study included 82 patients. Compared with chest radiography, positive lung US findings (consolidation measuring >1 cm or a focal/asymmetrical B-lines pattern) showed a sensitivity of 87.8%, a specificity of 58.5%, a positive likelihood-ratio of 2.12, and a negative likelihood-ratio of 0.21. Findings were similar regardless of the physicians' previous US training or experience. We propose a practical algorithm whereby patients having consolidation measuring greater than 1 cm or normal findings on lung US could skip chest radiography, whereas patients with a B-lines pattern without consolidation (given its low specificity) would need chest radiography to ensure appropriate management. Lung US was generally performed in 10 minutes or less. CONCLUSION Point-of-care lung US in primary care could be useful for investigating suspected CAP (avoiding chest radiography in most cases) and is likely feasible in daily practice, as short training programs appear sufficient and little time is needed to perform the scan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Calvo-Cebrián
- CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Antonio Calvo-Cebrián Centro de Salud Galapagar Avda Víctimas del Terrorismo 3 28260 Galapagar, Madrid, Spain
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18
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Arroyo J, Marini TJ, Saavedra AC, Toscano M, Baran TM, Drennan K, Dozier A, Zhao YT, Egoavil M, Tamayo L, Ramos B, Castaneda B. No sonographer, no radiologist: New system for automatic prenatal detection of fetal biometry, fetal presentation, and placental location. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262107. [PMID: 35139093 PMCID: PMC8827457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging is a vital component of high-quality Obstetric care. In rural and under-resourced communities, the scarcity of ultrasound imaging results in a considerable gap in the healthcare of pregnant mothers. To increase access to ultrasound in these communities, we developed a new automated diagnostic framework operated without an experienced sonographer or interpreting provider for assessment of fetal biometric measurements, fetal presentation, and placental position. This approach involves the use of a standardized volume sweep imaging (VSI) protocol based solely on external body landmarks to obtain imaging without an experienced sonographer and application of a deep learning algorithm (U-Net) for diagnostic assessment without a radiologist. Obstetric VSI ultrasound examinations were performed in Peru by an ultrasound operator with no previous ultrasound experience who underwent 8 hours of training on a standard protocol. The U-Net was trained to automatically segment the fetal head and placental location from the VSI ultrasound acquisitions to subsequently evaluate fetal biometry, fetal presentation, and placental position. In comparison to diagnostic interpretation of VSI acquisitions by a specialist, the U-Net model showed 100% agreement for fetal presentation (Cohen's κ 1 (p<0.0001)) and 76.7% agreement for placental location (Cohen's κ 0.59 (p<0.0001)). This corresponded to 100% sensitivity and specificity for fetal presentation and 87.5% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity for anterior placental location. The method also achieved a low relative error of 5.6% for biparietal diameter and 7.9% for head circumference. Biometry measurements corresponded to estimated gestational age within 2 weeks of those assigned by standard of care examination with up to 89% accuracy. This system could be deployed in rural and underserved areas to provide vital information about a pregnancy without a trained sonographer or interpreting provider. The resulting increased access to ultrasound imaging and diagnosis could improve disparities in healthcare delivery in under-resourced areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junior Arroyo
- Laboratorio de Imágenes Médicas, Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Ana C. Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Imágenes Médicas, Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Marika Toscano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Timothy M. Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Drennan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Ann Dozier
- Department of Public Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Yu Tina Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Miguel Egoavil
- Research & Development, Medical Innovation & Technology, Lima, Perú
| | - Lorena Tamayo
- Research & Development, Medical Innovation & Technology, Lima, Perú
| | - Berta Ramos
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Laboratorio de Imágenes Médicas, Departamento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
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19
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Marini TJ, Weiss SL, Gupta A, Zhao YT, Baran TM, Garra B, Shafiq I, Oppenheimer DC, Egoavil MS, Ortega RL, Quinn RA, Kan J, Dozier AM, Tamayo L, Carlotto C, Castaneda B. Testing telediagnostic thyroid ultrasound in Peru: a new horizon in expanding access to imaging in rural and underserved areas. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2699-2708. [PMID: 33970434 PMCID: PMC8572222 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01584-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid ultrasound is a key tool in the evaluation of the thyroid, but billions of people around the world lack access to ultrasound imaging. In this study, we tested an asynchronous telediagnostic ultrasound system operated by individuals without prior ultrasound training which may be used to effectively evaluate the thyroid and improve access to imaging worldwide. METHODS The telediagnostic system in this study utilizes volume sweep imaging (VSI), an imaging technique in which the operator scans the target region with simple sweeps of the ultrasound probe based on external body landmarks. Sweeps are recorded and saved as video clips for later interpretation by an expert. Two operators without prior ultrasound experience underwent 8 h of training on the thyroid VSI protocol and the operation of the telemedicine platform. After training, the operators scanned patients at a health center in Lima. Telediagnostic examinations were sent to the United States for remote interpretation. Standard of care thyroid ultrasound was performed by an experienced radiologist at the time of VSI examination to serve as a reference standard. RESULTS Novice operators scanned 121 subjects with the thyroid VSI protocol. Of these exams, 88% were rated of excellent image quality showing complete or near complete thyroid visualization. There was 98.3% agreement on thyroid nodule presence between VSI teleultrasound and standard of care ultrasound (Cohen's kappa 0.91, P < 0.0001). VSI measured the thyroid size, on average, within 5 mm compared to standard of care. Readers of VSI were also able to effectively characterize thyroid nodules, and there was no significant difference in measurement of thyroid nodule size (P = 0.74) between VSI and standard of care. CONCLUSION Thyroid VSI telediagnostic ultrasound demonstrated both excellent visualization of the thyroid gland and agreement with standard of care thyroid ultrasound for nodules and thyroid size evaluation. This system could be deployed for evaluation of palpable thyroid abnormalities, nodule follow-up, and epidemiological studies to promote global health and improve the availability of diagnostic imaging in underserved communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Marini
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - S L Weiss
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - A Gupta
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Y T Zhao
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - T M Baran
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - B Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, 10810 Lake Minneola Shores, Clermont, FL, 34711, USA
| | - I Shafiq
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - D C Oppenheimer
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - M S Egoavil
- Medical Innovation and Technology, Calle Los Libertadores 635, 15046, San Isidro, Peru
| | - R L Ortega
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - R A Quinn
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - J Kan
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - A M Dozier
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 648, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - L Tamayo
- Medical Innovation and Technology, Calle Los Libertadores 635, 15046, San Isidro, Peru
| | - C Carlotto
- Medical Innovation and Technology, Calle Los Libertadores 635, 15046, San Isidro, Peru
| | - B Castaneda
- Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Peru, Av. Universitaria 1801, 15088, San Miguel, Peru.
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20
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Marini TJ, Weis JM, Baran TM, Kan J, Meng S, Yeo A, Zhao YT, Ambrosini R, Cleary S, Rubens D, Chess M, Castaneda B, Dozier A, O'Connor T, Garra B, Kaproth-Joslin K. Lung ultrasound volume sweep imaging for respiratory illness: a new horizon in expanding imaging access. BMJ Open Respir Res 2021; 8:8/1/e000919. [PMID: 34772730 PMCID: PMC8593737 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2021-000919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory illness is a leading cause of morbidity in adults and the number one cause of mortality in children, yet billions of people lack access to medical imaging to assist in its diagnosis. Although ultrasound is highly sensitive and specific for respiratory illness such as pneumonia, its deployment is limited by a lack of sonographers. As a solution, we tested a standardised lung ultrasound volume sweep imaging (VSI) protocol based solely on external body landmarks performed by individuals without prior ultrasound experience after brief training. Each step in the VSI protocol is saved as a video clip for later interpretation by a specialist. Methods Dyspneic hospitalised patients were scanned by ultrasound naive operators after 2 hours of training using the lung ultrasound VSI protocol. Separate blinded readers interpreted both lung ultrasound VSI examinations and standard of care chest radiographs to ascertain the diagnostic value of lung VSI considering chest X-ray as the reference standard. Comparison to clinical diagnosis as documented in the medical record and CT (when available) were also performed. Readers offered a final interpretation of normal, abnormal, or indeterminate/borderline for each VSI examination, chest X-ray, and CT. Results Operators scanned 102 subjects (0–89 years old) for analysis. Lung VSI showed a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 91% for an abnormal chest X-ray and a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 93% for a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. When any cases with an indeterminate rating on chest X-ray or ultrasound were excluded (n=38), VSI lung ultrasound showed 92% agreement with chest X-ray (Cohen’s κ 0.83 (0.68 to 0.97, p<0.0001)). Among cases with CT (n=21), when any ultrasound with an indeterminate rating was excluded (n=3), there was 100% agreement with VSI. Conclusion Lung VSI performed by previously inexperienced ultrasound operators after brief training showed excellent agreement with chest X-ray and high sensitivity and specificity for a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Blinded readers were able to identify other respiratory diseases including pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion. Deployment of lung VSI could benefit the health of the global community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jonah Kan
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Steven Meng
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Alex Yeo
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu T Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Sean Cleary
- Department of Imaging Sciences, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Deborah Rubens
- Department of Imaging Sciences, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mitchell Chess
- Department of Imaging Sciences, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Departmento de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Ann Dozier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, URMC, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Brian Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, FL, USA
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21
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Marini TJ, Oppenheimer DC, Baran TM, Rubens DJ, Dozier A, Garra B, Egoavil MS, Quinn RA, Kan J, Ortega RL, Zhao YT, Tamayo L, Carlotto C, Castaneda B. Testing telediagnostic right upper quadrant abdominal ultrasound in Peru: A new horizon in expanding access to imaging in rural and underserved areas. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255919. [PMID: 34379679 PMCID: PMC8357175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatic and biliary diseases are prevalent worldwide, but the majority of people lack access to diagnostic medical imaging for their assessment. The liver and gallbladder are readily amenable to sonographic examination, and ultrasound is a portable, cost-effective imaging modality suitable for use in rural and underserved areas. However, the deployment of ultrasound in these settings is limited by the lack of experienced sonographers to perform the exam. In this study, we tested an asynchronous telediagnostic system for right upper quadrant abdominal ultrasound examination operated by individuals without prior ultrasound experience to facilitate deployment of ultrasound to rural and underserved areas. Methods The teleultrasound system utilized in this study employs volume sweep imaging and a telemedicine app installed on a tablet which connects to an ultrasound machine. Volume sweep imaging is an ultrasound technique in which an individual scans the target region utilizing preset ultrasound sweeps demarcated by easily recognized external body landmarks. The sweeps are saved as video clips for later interpretation by an experienced radiologist. Teleultrasound scans from a Peruvian clinic obtained by individuals without prior ultrasound experience were sent to the United States for remote interpretation and quality assessment. Standard of care comparison was made to a same-day ultrasound examination performed by a radiologist. Results Individuals without prior ultrasound experience scanned 144 subjects. Image quality was rated “poor” on 36.8% of exams, “acceptable” on 38.9% of exams, and “excellent” on 24.3% of exams. Among telemedicine exams of “acceptable” or “excellent” image quality (n = 91), greater than 80% of the liver and gallbladder were visualized in the majority of cases. In this group, there was 95% agreement between standard of care and teleultrasound on whether an exam was normal or abnormal, with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.84 (95% CI 0.7–0.98, p <0.0001). Finally, among these teleultrasound exams of “acceptable” or “excellent” image quality, the sensitivity for cholelithiasis was 93% (95% CI 68.1%-99.8%), and the specificity was 97% (95% CI 89.5%-99.6%). Conclusion This asynchronous telediagnostic system allows individuals without prior ultrasound experience to effectively scan the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney with a high degree of agreement with standard of care ultrasound. This system can be deployed to improve access to diagnostic imaging in low-resource areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel C. Oppenheimer
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Timothy M. Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Deborah J. Rubens
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Ann Dozier
- Department of Public Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Brian Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, United States of America
| | | | - Rosemary A. Quinn
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Jonah Kan
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Rafael L. Ortega
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Yu T. Zhao
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Lorena Tamayo
- Medical Innovation and Technology, San Isidro, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Benjamin Castaneda
- Department of Engineering, Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Peru, San Miguel, Lima, Peru
- * E-mail:
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22
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du Plessis AM, Andronikou S, Zar HJ. Chest imaging findings of chronic respiratory disease in HIV-infected adolescents on combined anti retro viral therapy. Paediatr Respir Rev 2021; 38:16-23. [PMID: 33139219 DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2020.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Early treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has improved survival of children perinatally infected with HIV into adolescence. This population is at risk of long term complications related to HIV infection, particularly chronic respiratory disease. Limited data on chest imaging findings in HIV-infected adolescents, suggest that the predominant disease is of small and large airways: predominantly bronchiolitis obliterans or bronchiectasis. Single cases of emphysema have been reported. Lung fibrosis, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, post tuberculous apical fibrocystic changes and malignancies do not feature in this population. Chest radiograph (CXR) is easily accessible and widely used, especially in resource limited settings, such as sub Saharan Africa, where the greatest burden of HIV disease occurs. Lung ultrasound has been described for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children, pulmonary oedema and interstitial lung disease [1-3]. The use of this modality in chronic respiratory disease in adolescents where the predominant finding is small airway disease and bronchiectasis has however not been described. CXR is useful to evaluate structural/post infective changes, parenchymal opacification and nodules, hyperinflation or extensive bronchiectasis. CXR however, is inadequate for diagnosing small airway disease, for which high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the modality of choice. Where available, low dose HRCT should be used early in the course of symptomatic disease in adolescents and for follow up in children who are non responsive to treatment or clinically deteriorating. This article provides a pictorial review of the spectrum of CXR and HRCT imaging findings of chronic pulmonary disease in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on cART and guidelines for imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie du Plessis
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross Children's Hospital and SA-Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, USA
| | - Savvas Andronikou
- Department of Paediatric Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross Children's Hospital and SA-Medical Research Council Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, USA
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23
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Marini TJ, Rubens DJ, Zhao YT, Weis J, O’Connor TP, Novak WH, Kaproth-Joslin KA. Lung Ultrasound: The Essentials. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2021; 3:e200564. [PMID: 33969313 PMCID: PMC8098095 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.2021200564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although US of the lungs is increasingly used clinically, diagnostic radiologists are not routinely trained in its use and interpretation. Lung US is a highly sensitive and specific modality that aids in the evaluation of the lungs for many different abnormalities, including pneumonia, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax. This review provides an overview of lung US to equip the diagnostic radiologist with knowledge needed to interpret this increasingly used modality. Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Marini
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Deborah J. Rubens
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Yu T. Zhao
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Justin Weis
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Timothy P. O’Connor
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - William H. Novak
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Katherine A. Kaproth-Joslin
- From the Departments of Imaging Sciences (T.J.M., D.J.R., Y.T.Z., K.A.K.J.), Medicine (J.W., W.H.N.), and Emergency Medicine (T.P.O.), University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 655, Rochester, NY 14642
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24
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Marini TJ, Oppenheimer DC, Baran TM, Rubens DJ, Toscano M, Drennan K, Garra B, Miele FR, Garra G, Noone SJ, Tamayo L, Carlotto C, Trujillo L, Waks E, Garra K, Egoavil MS, Berrospi J, Castaneda B. New Ultrasound Telediagnostic System for Low-Resource Areas: Pilot Results From Peru. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2021; 40:583-595. [PMID: 32798267 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Billions of people around the world lack access to diagnostic imaging. To address this issue, we piloted a comprehensive ultrasound telediagnostic system, which uses ultrasound volume sweep imaging (VSI) acquisitions capable of being performed by operators without prior traditional ultrasound training and new telemedicine software capable of sending imaging acquisitions asynchronously over low Internet bandwidth for remote interpretation. The telediagnostic system was tested with obstetric, right upper quadrant abdominal, and thyroid volume sweep imaging protocols in Peru. Scans obtained by operators without prior ultrasound experience were sent for remote interpretation by specialists using the telemedicine platform. Scans obtained allowed visualization of the target region in 96% of cases with diagnostic imaging quality. This telediagnostic system shows promise in improving health care disparities in the developing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Marini
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Daniel C Oppenheimer
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Timothy M Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Deborah J Rubens
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Marika Toscano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Drennan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, and University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Brian Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, USA
| | - Frank R Miele
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, USA
| | - Gail Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Erin Waks
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, USA
| | - Katie Garra
- Medical Imaging Ministries of the Americas, Clermont, Florida, USA
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25
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Qian X, Wodnicki R, Kang H, Zhang J, Tchelepi H, Zhou Q. Current Ultrasound Technologies and Instrumentation in the Assessment and Monitoring of COVID-19 Positive Patients. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2020; 67:2230-2240. [PMID: 32857693 PMCID: PMC7654715 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2020.3020055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in December of 2019, clinicians and scientists all over the world have faced overwhelming new challenges that not only threaten their own communities and countries but also the world at large. These challenges have been enormous and debilitating, as the infrastructure of many countries, including developing ones, had little or no resources to deal with the crisis. Even in developed countries, such as Italy, health systems have been so inundated by cases that health care facilities became oversaturated and could not accommodate the unexpected influx of patients to be tested. Initially, resources were focused on testing to identify those who were infected. When it became clear that the virus mainly attacks the lungs by causing parenchymal changes in the form of multifocal pneumonia of different levels of severity, imaging became paramount in the assessment of disease severity, progression, and even response to treatment. As a result, there was a need to establish protocols for imaging of the lungs in these patients. In North America, the focus was on chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) as these are widely available and accessible at most health facilities. However, in Europe and China, this was not the case, and a cost-effective and relatively fast imaging modality was needed to scan a large number of sick patients promptly. Hence, ultrasound (US) found its way into the hands of Chinese and European physicians and has since become an important imaging modality in those locations. US is a highly versatile, portable, and inexpensive imaging modality that has application across a broad spectrum of conditions and, in this way, is ideally suited to assess the lungs of COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This bedside test can be done with little to no movement of the patients from the unit that keeps them in their isolated rooms, thereby limiting further exposure to other health personnel. This article presents a basic introduction to COVID-19 and the use of the US for lung imaging. It further provides a high-level overview of the existing US technologies that are driving development in current and potential future US imaging systems for lung, with a specific emphasis on portable and 3-D systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Qian
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- NIH Resource Center forMedical Ultrasonic Transducer TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- Keck School of MedicineRoski Eye Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90033USA
| | - Robert Wodnicki
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- NIH Resource Center forMedical Ultrasonic Transducer TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
| | - Haochen Kang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- NIH Resource Center forMedical Ultrasonic Transducer TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
| | - Junhang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- NIH Resource Center forMedical Ultrasonic Transducer TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
| | - Hisham Tchelepi
- Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90033USA
| | - Qifa Zhou
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- NIH Resource Center forMedical Ultrasonic Transducer TechnologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90089USA
- Keck School of MedicineRoski Eye Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90033USA
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