The Value of 3D Ultrasonography (3DUS) of Achilles Tendon in Comparison with Standard 2D US Imaging

  • Dr Malgorzata Serafin-Krol, Imaging Dept. IInd Medical Faculty, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
  • Radoslaw Krol, 2 Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
  • Dr Robert Mlosek, Imaging Dept. IInd Medical Faculty, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
  • Dr Marcin Ziolkowski, 2 Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
  • Prof MD PhD Wieslaw Jakubowski, Imaging Dept. IInd Medical Faculty, Warsaw Medical University, Poland
  • Prof MD PhD Jaroslaw Deszczynski, 2 Dept. of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Warsaw Medical University, Poland

    • Objective: 1. to compare accuracy of 3DUS with 2DUS in assessment of Achilles tendon 2. to find out if additional pathology on 3DUS can be found.
    Material and method: studied group consisted of 10 healthy tendons and 38 with pathology. Ultrasonography was performed with Voluson 730 Expert (GE) with linear probe 5-16 MHz and linear 5-16 MHz volumetric probe. US of all Achilles tendons was performed in transverse and longitudinal scans on 2D. On 3DUS transverse, longitudinal and coronal third Z plane were studied. In all tendons width and thickness of a tendon and pathological lesions were assessed. The results of measurements on 2D and 3D images were compared. The images were analyzed regarding an appearance, contours, size and localization of a lesion. The lesions were visualized on 3D reconstructed images.
    Results: significant differences in measurement of tendon size were not found. Evaluation of size of the smaller lesions did not differ significantly.In larger ones differences were greater but not statistically significant. There were problems with correct assessment of lesion size when it occupied more than two successive volume scans. Additional information were obtained in 19 of 38 (50%) mainly smaller pathologies due to Z-plain. The 3D reconstructed model helped in understanding anatomical relations of injured fibers.
    Conclusions: 1. 3DUS imaging is reliable and accurate as 2DUS. 2. In smaller lesions, borders and type of the lesion are better visualized on additional third plane. 3. It is more difficult to assess larger lesions. grant MNiI 1034/P01/2006/30