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Assessment of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries: evaluation of an automated computer software

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of commercially available software directly implemented on the ultrasound scanner for automated measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery on source images.

Materials and methods

Measurements were performed on a GE Vivid 3 ultrasound scanner. First, inter- and intraobserver correlations were assessed for the automated and the manual measurements. Second, the correlation between automated and manual measurements was assessed in 199 asymptomatic patients with a mean age of 30 years (range 20–41 years).

Results

The measurement was feasible in all patients and a standard configuration with optimum quality was determined. The inter- and intraobserver correlations obtained using the automated software were excellent and slightly inferior to the manual measurements. The correlation of the automated and manual measurements was significant (r = 0.86; P < 0.01) and the mean difference between both measurements was low (0.023 ± 0.034 mm).

Conclusions

The software allowed an efficient and quick measurement by providing at the same time comparable results to the manual measurement and a better inter- and intraobserver variability.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, General Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Stefan Puchner, Markus Reiter, Christos Baros, Johannes Lammer & Robert A. Bucek

  2. Department of Angiology, General Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, Austria

    Erich Minar

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  1. Stefan Puchner
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  2. Markus Reiter
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  3. Christos Baros
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  4. Erich Minar
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  5. Johannes Lammer
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  6. Robert A. Bucek
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Correspondence to Stefan Puchner.

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Puchner, S., Reiter, M., Baros, C. et al. Assessment of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries: evaluation of an automated computer software. Neuroradiology 50, 849–853 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-008-0405-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-008-0405-7

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