New Veterinary Study compares ultrasound image quality among varying levels of education concludes that with proper training, image sets comparable in diagnostic value

ANDOVER, N.J., Oct. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In this prospective observer agreement study, co authored by Dr. Eric Lindquist, DMV, DABVP, Cert. IVUSS, and CEO of SonoPath LLC, image quality was assessed for abdominal ultrasound examinations performed by nine sonographers (three general practitioners, three credentialed veterinary technicians, and three board-certified specialists).

Each sonographer independently performed abdominal ultrasound examinations on the same group of 4 sedated clinically healthy animals (3 dogs, 1 cat) using the same model machine and standardized presets. Twenty-five organs and anatomical landmarks per exam (26 for male dog) were evaluated. Still images and cine loops were recorded for each one of the organs.

The final scoring of image quality for each examination was performed by two board-certified veterinary radiologists in a randomized and blinded fashion. The average score for each animal and sonographer was tallied and sonographer groups and individual sonographers were compared. Scores were assessed for normality and data were ranked transformed prior to statistical analysis.

CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found regarding the completeness and quality scores of sonographers of different experience levels and disciplines when measuring specific standard components of a full abdominal scan. There were no statistical differences between individual sonographers or groups of sonographers. Although not statistically significant, the general practitioner's group showed the greatest variability of their individual scores.

Abdominal ultrasonography is increasingly used as a standard diagnostic test in veterinary practices, however, there is little published information regarding the effects of operator experience on image quality. In this prospective observer agreement study, image quality was assessed for abdominal ultrasound examinations performed by nine sonographers (three general practitioners, three credentialed veterinary technicians, and three board-certified specialists). Each sonographer independently performed abdominal ultrasound examinations on the same group of 4 sedated clinically healthy animals (3 dogs, 1 cat) using the same model machine and standardized presets.

"This blinded study proved what we see in our telemedicine cases and our education community on a daily basis; with adequate training with a consistently repeatable protocol, diagnostic image acquisition is very comparable across technicians, General Practice DVMs and Specialists. This concept amplifies the spectrum of potentially capable sonographers that, in turn, enhances the crucial availability of solid professional sonograms to be interpreted remotely or in house throughout veterinary medicine," noted Eric Lindquist, DMV, DABVP, Cert. IVUSS, and one of the study's authors.

View the complete study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/CYQ6NR9CU5QGKWUHYPCU?target=10.1111/vru.13017

About SonoPath
SonoPath offers an innovative approach to clinical ultrasound with a perfect blend of quality equipment, education, support, and telemedicine. We are privately owned by a specialist veterinarian and serve a small community of veterinarians, which allows us to focus on our area of expertise (ultrasound!) and provide our customers with a high level of personalized support.

In 2019, SonoPath LLC announced the copyright and trademark approval of their popular SDEP® veterinary ultrasound training techniques: Sonographic Diagnostic Efficiency Protocol (SDEP) Small Animal Abdominal Imaging and Sonographic Diagnostic Efficiency Protocol (SDEP) Small Animal Echocardiography.

To learn about the SDEP® protocol and SonoPath's hands-on training courses, click here: [https://www.shopsonopath.com/veterinary-ultrasound-training

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Chrissy Laughlin, SonoPath, +1 760-271-0370, [email protected]

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SOURCE SonoPath